Research Catalog

John Shaw Billings papers

Title
John Shaw Billings papers, 1862-1913.
Author
Billings, John S. (John Shaw), 1838-1913.
Supplementary Content
Finding Aid

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors
  • Agassiz, Alexander, 1835-1910.
  • Bell, Alexander Graham, 1847-1922.
  • Bigelow, John, 1817-1911.
  • Bowditch, H. P. (Henry Pickering), 1840-1911.
  • Burdett, Henry C., Sir, 1847-1920.
  • Cadwalader, John L. (John Lambert), 1837-1914.
  • Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919.
  • Dewey, Melvil, 1851-1931.
  • Fletcher, Robert, 1823-1912.
  • Gilman, Daniel C. (Daniel Coit), 1831-1908.
  • Mitchell, S. Weir (Silas Weir), 1829-1914.
  • Pepper, William, 1843-1898.
  • Smith, Stephen, 1823-1922.
  • Sternberg, George Miller, 1838-1915.
Description
  • 48 linear feet (109 boxes).
  • 53 microfilm reels.
Summary
Collection consists of correspondence and papers relating to Billings' work with the United States Army Medical Department, 1861-1895; Johns Hopkins Hospital (especially building plans), 1873-1890; National Board of Health, 1879-1881; the 10th and 11th censuses, University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Laboratory of Hygiene, 1890-1895; The New York Public Library, 1895-1913; Committee of Fifty on the Liquor Problem, 1893-1904; Carnegie Institute, 1902-1913; National Academy of Science, 1875-1911; and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Architectural drawings.
  • Photographic prints.
  • Diaries.
  • Scrapbooks.
Note
  • Records of Billings' tenure as Director of The New York Public Library are part of the Library's Archives.
Access (note)
  • Restricted access;
  • Microfilm must be used in lieu of originals when available.
Additional Formats (note)
  • available on microfilm;
Source (note)
  • Billings, John Shaw - Family
Biography (note)
  • John Shaw Billings (1838-1913) was an American surgeon, hospital planner and librarian.
Processing Action (note)
  • Surveyed
  • Cataloging updated
Call Number
MssCol 304
OCLC
NYPW89-A348
Author
Billings, John S. (John Shaw), 1838-1913.
Title
John Shaw Billings papers, 1862-1913.
Restricted Access
Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated.
Access
Microfilm must be used in lieu of originals when available.
Additional Formats
Selected materials (boxes 1-71) available on microfilm; New York Public Library; *ZL-212
Biography
John Shaw Billings (1838-1913) was an American surgeon, hospital planner and librarian. He served as a U.S. Army surgeon and was responsible for creating the nation's foremost medical library, now the National Library of Medicine. He served as special advisor to the trustees of Johns Hopkins Hospital in planning and organizing that institution. After retiring from the Army in 1895, Billings was named the first Director of the New York Public Library. He helped create the NYPL by combining the Astor and Lenox Libraries into a public research library and building a branch library system for three of the boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx). He also planned and oversaw the construction of the Central Library building which was opened to the public in 1911.
Finding Aids
Collection guide available in repository and on internet.
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Finding Aid
Occupation
Surgeons.
Librarians.
Added Author
Agassiz, Alexander, 1835-1910.
Bell, Alexander Graham, 1847-1922.
Bigelow, John, 1817-1911.
Bowditch, H. P. (Henry Pickering), 1840-1911.
Burdett, Henry C., Sir, 1847-1920.
Cadwalader, John L. (John Lambert), 1837-1914.
Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919.
Dewey, Melvil, 1851-1931.
Fletcher, Robert, 1823-1912.
Gilman, Daniel C. (Daniel Coit), 1831-1908.
Mitchell, S. Weir (Silas Weir), 1829-1914.
Pepper, William, 1843-1898.
Smith, Stephen, 1823-1922.
Sternberg, George Miller, 1838-1915.
LCCN
ms 74000525
Research Call Number
MssCol 304
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