Mearl F. Stanton Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS C 432

Abstract

Stanton's early work at the National Cancer Institute was on chemically-induced carcinogenesis, after which he shifted to viral oncology. His last years were spent working on fiber carcinogenesis, and in particular on the carcinogenic effect of asbestos.

Dates

Creation: 1931-1980

Extent

4.2 Linear Feet (10 MS boxes)

Creator

Stanton, Mearl F. (Mearl Frederick), 1922-1980 (Person)

Physical Location

Materials stored onsite. History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine

Language of Materials

Collection materials primarily in English

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Copyright and Re-use Information

Donor's copyrights were transferred to the public domain. Archival collections often contain mixed copyrights; while NLM is the owner of the physical items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. It is the user's responsibility to research and understand any applicable copyright and re-publication rights not allowed by fair use. NLM does not grant permissions to publish.

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Biographical Note

Mearl F. Stanton was born on 14 August 1922 in Staunton, Illinois. He attended the universities of Southern Illinois, Depaul and Wisconsin from 1940-44, though he did not receive a degree until June 1948 when he received an M.D. degree from St. Louis University. Stanton interned at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, after which he taught pathology at St. Louis University. From 1955 to 1957 Stanton served at the Army Chemical Center in Frederick, Maryland. In January, 1957 Stanton came to work at the Pathology Laboratory in the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In 1969, upon the retirement of Dr. Harold Stewart (MS C 228), Stanton was made Chief of the laboratory. He continued to work for NCI until his death from Shy-Drager syndrome on 18 May 1980.

Stanton's research covered a broad spectrum of questions. His early years at St. Louis University were spent working on host parasite relationships of obligate intracellular parasites. His early work at NCI was on chemically-induced carcinogenesis, after which he shifted to viral oncology. His last years were spent working on fiber carcinogenesis, and in particular on the carcinogenic effect of asbestos. From 1967 to 1974 Stanton also served as editor of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. More biographical information on Stanton can be found in vol. 67, no. 5 (November, 1981) of the journal, which is dedicated to Stanton.

Collection Summary

The collection is organized into nine series. The richest part of the collection is found in the correspondence series, which combines Stanton's personal correspondence with material from his files at NCI, and is arranged alphabetically. Correspondents represented by five or more items are singled out in the container listing, but especially noteworthy is the correspondence with Aurel Goodwin, Takahiro Hirano, J.R.M. (Hamish) Innes, Daniel S. Longnecker, Hisashi Otsuka, Henry Pinkerton, Irving J. Selikoff, and Harold L. Stewart.

All of Stanton's research interests are represented in the collection, but the bulk of the material concerns his investigations into the carcinogenic effect of asbestos and other fibers. Speeches, talks, correspondence, and subject files relating to his discoveries of asbestos are present. Also well documented are Stanton's long military service, and his administrative activities (including editorial duties) while at the National Cancer Institute. Unpublished manuscripts and an incomplete set of Stanton's published writings round out the collection.

Additional Description

Abstract

Physical Location

Materials stored onsite. History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine

Provenance

The Mearl F. Stanton Papers were given to the National Library of Medicine on 1 September 1985 by his widow, Margie Stanton. Accession 392.

Related Materials

Photographs Transferred to Prints and Photos, 4/1/87: Stanton and Eliza Miller, Technician, ca.1960; Portrait of Stanton, ca.1970; Portrait of Stanton, undated; Attendees at the "Confrenza Internationale Sui Tumori Del Polmone Negli Animali," Universita degli Studi Perugia, 1965; Mear. F. Stanton with Co. Eddinger, May 4, 1973