Skip to main content

Rufus Ivory Cole papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-19

Scope and Contents

Cole's collection contains correspondence, including several postcards from his grandsons and one with "Mrs. Rufus Cole" printed on it; reprints of journal articles, mainly ones written by Cole; and biographical memoirs and honorary programs related to Sir William Osler, William H. Welch, William Stewart Halstead, Samuel James Meltzer, Harvey Cushing, William George MacCallum, Oswald Theodore Avery, Simon Flexner, Thomas Milton Rivers, Max Broedel, and Allen O. Whipple.

Dates

  • Creation: 1900 - 1966

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions.

Biographical / Historical

Rufus Ivory Cole was born in Rowsburg, Ohio, on April 30, 1872. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1896 and attended the Johns Hopkins Medical School, graduating in 1899. At Hopkins he came under the influence of faculty members such as William Osler, William H. Welch, and Lewellys Barker. As a resident at Hopkins, Cole was in charge of a biological laboratory where he studied typhoid fever. He married Annie Hegeler in 1908, the same year he was appointed the Director of the Hospital of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, the first hospital in the U.S. devoted primarily to the investigation of disease. The Hospital itself opened in October 1910 with 50 beds. Cole remained at the Hospital until 1937. His medical research centered on problems relating to immunity to diseases of the respiratory system, particularly pneumonia. In retirement he wrote a two volume work titled Human History: The Seventeenth Century and the Stuart Family. Cole died on April 20, 1966.

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of John Staige Davis IV.

Physical Description

1 1/3 linear feet, 3 Hollinger boxes.

General

Processed by:
Historical Collections Staff
Title
A Guide to the Rufus Ivory Cole Papers, 1900-1966
Subtitle
MS-19
Author
Claude Moore Health Sciences Library
Date
2005
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library Repository

Contact:
Claude Moore Health Sciences Library
1300 Jefferson Park Avenue
P.O. Box 800722
Charlottesville Virginia 22908-0722 United States