McGill Library
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Letter to Sigmund Adolphus Knopf, August 26, 1908
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A major figure in modern medical history, Sir William Osler is well known as a scientific researcher, a great medical pedagogue, a humanist, and an advocate for a patient-centered approach to medicine.
Born in Bond Head, Ontario, in 1849, Osler earned his medical degree at McGill University, and later taught at McGill's Faculty of Medicine from 1874 until 1884. Osler then joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he was appointed Chair of Clinical Medicine before becoming Physician-in-Chief and one of the "Big Four" founders of Johns Hopkins Hospital and medical school in Baltimore – the first school of its kind to train medical students in a modern residency program. Osler finished his career as Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, where he also devoted time to his passion for book collecting. His library of nearly eight thousand rare and historic works of the history of medicine and science is known as the Bibliotheca Osleriana, documented by a published catalogue of the same title.
Sir William Osler was knighted in 1911 in recognition of his contributions to medical science and teaching. His library of 7600 volumes on the history of medicine and science bequeathed to McGill University forms the nucleus of the present Osler Library of the History of Medicine. His life and contributions to medicine are described in detail in the Pulitzer-Prize winning biography "Life of Sir William Osler" (London: Oxford University Press, 1925) by Harvey Cushing.
Letter to Sigmund Adolphus Knopf from William Osler, 13, Norham Gardens, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. Says that it is an admirable letter but he doubts that the newspapers will accept his terms. The Press is irresponsible and the only way to affect them is to touch their pockets. Encouragements. This is a matter for the profession. Will give a $100 subscription to help him fight it. He is sure the profession could raise a substantial sum. He is not coming in September. He will be on a sabbatical year for study on the continent. Best wishes. Asks him to let him know how he get on.
Copy or transcription.
Cushing's colour code: White (Correspondence)