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THOMAS, ARTHUR H., 1906-1977
Arthur H. Thomas papers, 1921-1973

Emory University

Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library

Atlanta, GA 30322

404-727-6887

rose.library@emory.edu

Permanent link: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/8zz5s

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Thomas, Arthur H., 1906-1977
Title: Arthur H. Thomas papers, 1921-1973
Call Number:Manuscript Collection No. 1138
Extent: 7.25 linear feet (11 boxes) and 1 oversized papers box (OP)
Abstract:Papers of African American physician Arthur H. Thomas, including correspondence, personal files, photographs, printed material, and writings. The papers also include his records as the Philadelphia Police and Fire Department surgeon and his patient records.
Language:Materials entirely in English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

Patient records in boxes 8-11 are restricted until 2052 for privacy considerations.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Source

Purchase, 2001

Custodial History

Originally received as part of the Bill Crawford and New World Book Fair collection.

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Arthur H. Thomas papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Processing

Processed by Elizabeth Russey Roke, March 11, 2010.

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Collection Description

Biographical Note

Arthur H. Thomas (1906-1977), African American physician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lincoln University and received his medical degrees from Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Assistant Chief of Surgery at Philadelphia General Hospital and Doctors Hospital. He practiced general surgery and orthopedics and was a police and fire surgeon for the city of Philadelphia. Thomas also served in the United States Army during World War II and was made Chief of the Surgical Service of the Army's first black hospital unit. He retired from the US Army Reserves with the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps.

Arthur H. Thomas (1906-1977), African American physician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lincoln University and received his medical degrees from Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Assistant Chief of Surgery at Philadelphia General Hospital and Doctors Hospital. He practiced general surgery and orthopedics and was a police and fire surgeon for the city of Philadelphia. Thomas also served in the United States Army during World War II and was made Chief of the Surgical Service of the Army's first black hospital unit. He retired from the US Army Reserves with the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of the papers of Arthur Thomas from 1921-1973. The papers include correspondence, personal files, photographs, printed material, and writings. Correspondence is mostly related to his work in Philadelphia and Chicago hospitals and his participation in medical societies. Personal files include educational and military records, his diplomas and awards, personal financial records, a scrapbook, and his notes of medical cases. Printed material consists of programs Thomas attended, newspaper clippings, and printed articles by Thomas. Photographs include portraits of Thomas, a photograph of his graduating class at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, photographs from Provident Hospital in Chicago and Mercy-Douglass Hospital in Philadelphia, snapshots of friends and family, and photographs related to his military service. Writings consist of handwritten drafts of articles. The collection also includes Thomas's records from his work as a surgeon for the Philadelphia Police and Fire Department. This material mostly consists of arrest records for intoxication and narcotics. The collection also includes Thomas's patient records.

Arrangement Note

Arranged by record type.

Selected Search Terms

Corporate Names

Topical Terms

Form/Genre Terms

Container List

Personal files
Box Folder Content
1 1 Correspondence, undated
1 2 Correspondence, 1934-1939
1 3 Correspondence, 1940-1949
1 4 Correspondence, 1952-1973
1 5 Diplomas and awards, undated
OP1 1 Diplomas and awards, 1921-1934
1 6 Diplomas and awards, 1941-1949
1 7 Diplomas and awards, 1951-1959
OP1 2 Diplomas and awards, 1957-1968
1 8 Diplomas and awards, 1960-1968
1 9 Diplomas and awards, 1971-1972
OP1 3 Drawing of Arthur Thomas, undated
1 10 Education records and transcripts, 1921-1933
1 11 Education records, Provident Hospital, Chicago, 1942
1 12 Education records, University of Pennsylvania, 1940-1941
1 13 Financial records, account book, 1967-1968
1 14 Financial records, bank books, 1942-1943
1 15 Financial records, banking statements, 1942-1946
1 16 Membership card, Philadelphia County Medical Society
1 17 Membership card, Prince Hall Grand Lodge
1 18 Military records, 1942-1946, 1964
1 19 Notes, 1940 and undated
1 20 Notes, 1941
1 21 Resume, 1957
OP1 5 Scrapbook, 1945
Photographs
1 22 Mercy-Douglass Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, no date
1 23 Military, 1964-1966
1 24 Philadelphia Club, 1967
1 25 Provident Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, 1930s
1 26 Snapshots, 1930s-1950s
2 1 Thomas, Arthur, portraits
2 2 Thomas with unidentified groups, 1967-1968
2 3 Thomas, Joy, 1940
OP1 4 University of Pennsylvania, Medical School photograph, 1941
Printed material
2 4 Aid Assciation of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, 58th Annual Report, 1936
2 5 American College of Surgeons Assembly of Initiates, program, 1949
2 6 Army Field Manual, "Soldier's Guide," 1956
2 7 The Daily World (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), banquet program, September 21, 1968
2 8 Dinner and Retirement Ceremonies for Brigadier General Harold G. Scheie, 1964
2 9 Freedmen's Hospital blank prescription and medical forms, undated
2 10 Graduate Club of Philadelphia, program, 1964
2 11 Journal of the National Medical Association, January 1961 [includes article by Thomas]
2 12 Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania Pulse, March-April 1970
2 13 Mercy-Douglass Hospital campaign kick-off rally program, 1949
2 14 Mercy-Douglass Hospital Employee newsletter, 1963-1968
2 15 Miss Berean 1959 and Fashion Parade, program
2 16 Newspaper clippings
2 17 Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, No 1 of Philadelpia, DeMolay Consistory bylaws, 1925
2 18 Station Hospital Number Two, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, holiday programs, 1942
2 19 "What Is a Hospital?" Mercy-Douglass Hospital, 1961
2 20 Wilson, James L., "Geriatric Experiences with the Negro Aged," circa 1951
Writings
2 21 Thomas, Arthur, "Address of the Retiring President of the Philadelphia Academy of Medicine and Allied Sciences," undated
2 22 Thomas, Arthur, "Clinical Estimation of a Patient for an Operation," undated
2 23 Thomas, Arthur, "Management of Patients with Multiple Injuries," undated
2 24 Thomas, Arthur, "The Need for Disaster Preparedness," undated
2 25 Thomas, Arthur, "Peripheral Vascular Disease," undated
2 26 Thomas, Arthur, "Report of Clinical Observations of the Use of Sulfadiazine Burn Therapy," undated
2 27 Thomas, Arthur, "Report of the Resident Service of Provident Hospital, Chicago, Illinois," 1942
2 28 Thomas, Arthur, "Report of the Surgical Service of Mercy Hospital," 1947
2 29 Thomas, Arthur, "Surgery on the Diabetic," 1941
2 30 Thomas, Arthur, "The Type of Injuries in Natural and Nuclear Disasters," undated
2 31 Unidentified author, Father Divine writings, 1949[?]
2 32 Unidentified
Philadelphia Police and Fire Department Surgeon records
3 1 Child neglect reports, 1962-1964
3 2 Homicide reports, 1953-1956
3 3 Intoxication reports, 1952
3 4 Intoxication reports, 1953
3 5 Intoxication reports, 1954
3 6 Intoxication reports, 1955
3 7 Intoxication reports, 1956
3 8 Intoxication reports, 1957 [1 of 3]
3 9 Intoxication reports, 1957 [2 of 3]
4 1 Intoxication reports, 1957 [3 of 3]
4 2 Intoxication reports, 1958 [1 of 4]
4 3 Intoxication reports, 1958 [2 of 4]
4 4 Intoxication reports, 1958 [3 of 4]
4 5 Intoxication reports, 1958 [4 of 4]
4 6 Intoxication reports, 1959 [1 of 2]
5 1 Intoxication reports, 1959 [2 of 2]
5 2 Intoxication reports, 1960 [1 of 3]
5 3 Intoxication reports, 1960 [2 of 3]
5 4 Intoxication reports, 1960 [3 of 3]
5 5 Intoxication reports, 1961 [1 of 2]
5 6 Intoxication reports, 1961 [2 of 2]
6 1 Intoxication reports, 1962 [1 of 2]
6 2 Intoxication reports, 1962 [2 of 2]
6 3 Intoxication reports, 1963 [1 of 2]
6 4 Intoxication reports, 1963 [2 of 2]
6 5 Intoxication reports, 1964
6 6 Intoxication reports, 1965
6 7 Memorandum, 1955-1965
6 8 Narcotics reports, 1952
6 9 Narcotics reports, 1953
7 1 Narcotics reports, 1954
7 2 Narcotics reports, 1955
7 3 Narcotics reports, 1958-1965
7 4 Unfit for duty reports, 1956-1960
Patient records [RESTRICTED UNTIL 2052]
8 A-E [RESTRICTED UNTIL 2052]
9 F-L [RESTRICTED UNTIL 2052]
10 M-S [RESTRICTED UNTIL 2052]
11 T-Y [RESTRICTED UNTIL 2052]
11 Patient photographs [RESTRICTED UNTIL 2052]
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