Cornelius Rea Agnew papers, 1851-1924
Summary Information
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#0012
- Bib ID:
- 4078774 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Agnew, Cornelius Rea, 1830-1888
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 16 linear feet (13 boxes 2 flats)
- Language(s):
- English .
- Access:
- You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
-
The following boxes are located off-site: Boxes 3-14. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Description
Summary
Correspondence, notes, and manuscripts including items that relate to most of Agnew's professional activities, are especially rich in materials that deal with the treatment of eye diseases during the latter half of the 19th century. An interesting sidelight of the collection is a group of finely detailed woodblocks and steel plates that Agnew used to illustrate his published articles.
Arrangement
Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged.
- Series I: Cataloged Correspondence
- Series II: Arranged Correspondence
- Series III: Manuscripts, Lectures & Speeches
- Series IV: Subject Files
- Series V: Patients' Records
- Series VI: Diaries, Journals & Photographs
- Series VII: Awards & Degrees
- Series VIII: Memorabilia
- Series IX: Printed
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
The following boxes are located off-site: Boxes 3-14. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Cornelius Rea Agnew Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Existence and Location of Copies
The pamphlet Cornelius Rea Agnew a Memeorial Address by T. Gallard Thomas, MD is catalogued in the RBML and is also available on microfilm.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Source of acquisition--Spahn, Mrs. Donald, via Medical Library. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1972. Accession number--M72-9-7.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 03/21/89.
Finding Aid Prepared by Michael Stone, December 2000
Revision Description
2010-03-25 Legacy finding aid created from Pro Cite.
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
Biographical / Historical
Professor of diseases of the eye and ear at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Agnew, a prominent New York ophthalmologist, also helped organize the eye and ear hospital in Manhattan. (Columbia B.A., 1849; M.D., 1852).
Cornelius Rae Agnew, 1830-1888 New York opthalmologist and medical organizer. Going abroad to make a special study of the diseases of the eye and ear he returned to New York accepting the position of surgeon at the Eye and Ear Infirmary where he served until 1864. In addition to his civilian work prior to the commencment of the Civil War Agnew was appointed surgeon-general to the state of new York by Gov. Morgan. During the war Agnew served as medical director of the New York State Hospital for Volunteers. It was here that his executive abilities were brought to light. One of the main organziers of the United States Sanitary Commission Agnew is also credited with the creation of the pavallion style hospital as exemplified by the plans he prepared for the Judiciary Square Hospital in Washington. A driven man he helped found the Union Club of New York the School of Mines at Columbia an opthalmic clinic at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital, and the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital. In addition to this he lectured until his death at the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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