McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
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H3A 0C9
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Letter to William George MacCallum, January 27, 1915
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CA OSLER P417-3-3-119-042
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(1849-1919)
Biographical history
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.
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Letter to William George MacCallum from William Osler, 13, Norham Gardens, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. They cannot help feeling very sad about their old German friends, but understands that they should feel that they are in the right. It would be shocking if they did not. Thinks that there will be an awful gulf between England and Germany for the next two generations. He believes that the atrocities have been shockingly exaggerated, and Klebs tells him they tell the same stories about the English troops. But, there is no question about the Belgian horrors. Mentions the Belgian professors in Oxford. They have got Archibald Malloch a very satisfactory place at the Queen of the Belgians Hospital. Good comments about him. Glad that MacCallum's book is prospering. Mentions his father. Confirms Cobbold's death. Comments on the latter. Did not know that Koellicker had worked at Wurms. Grace has read his letter with interest. The house looks like a junk-shop. The drawing-room is full of clothes for the wives and families of the Belgian professors who sew there. The Canadians have had a hard time at the Salisbury Camp, with mud and rain. Mentions the meningitis outbreak. Ellis of the Rockefeller is doing splendid work with it. Norman Gwyn has been assigned to the Canadian Hospital at Mount Vernon, Hampstead, but may go to the front any day. Revere is in the Officers' Training Corps, but will probably join the McGill Unit. Details on Revere's interest for literature and art. Sends one of his bookplates. Comment about it. At Hegert's request, they postponed the Vesalius celebration. Cushing told him about their success in New York. Mentions the latest books he got. Good comments on the spirit of the country. Civilities.
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- Fragile.
- Faded characters.
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Cushing's colour code: White (Correspondence)
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CUS417/119.42
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- MacCallum, W. G. (William George), 1874-1944 (Recipient)