Olin West Papers
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Personal papers of Vanderbilt alum and epidemiologist Olin West, a primary figure in the development of the Tennessee State Department of Public Health. The collection contains manuscripts on public health and one photograph. Majority of material is from 1915-1922
Dates
- Creation: 1898 - 1922
Creator
- West, Olin (Person)
Notes about Access to this Collection
All collections are subject to applicable Vanderbilt University privacy and confidentiality policies. Collection specific restrictions: No Restrictions.
Reproduction Rights
Copyright is retained by History of Medicine Collections, Eskind Biomedical Library, Vanderbilt University or is retained by the authors of specific published items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Historical or Biographical Note
Dr. Olin West was a public health expert on smallpox and a primary figure in early development of the Tennessee State Department of Health. Born at Gadsden, Alabama on July 12, 1874, his preliminary education was received at Howard College in Alabama. He received his M.D. from Vanderbilt University Medical Department in 1898. In 1910, after twelve years of practice in Nashville and fifteen years as a member of the faculty of Vanderbilt University, first as instructor and later as assistant professor and associate professor in chemistry, Dr. West became director for the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission and International Health Board in Tennessee where he led the effort against hookworm infection. He served as Secretary and Chief Executive for the Tennessee Board of Health from 1918-1922. Then Dr. West served as Secretary of the A.M.A. from 1922-1946, and later was elected to the office of President-elect of the A.M.A. in 1946. Poor health prevented his nomination and election to the office of President. He died in Nashville, June 20, 1952.
Full Extent
0.19 Cubic Feet (1 Half Hollinger box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Personal papers of Vanderbilt alum and epidemiologist Olin West, a primary figure in the development of the Tennessee State Department of Public Health. The collection contains manuscripts on public health and one photograph.
Physical Location
EBL Vault
Acquisition Information
Collection was donated in 1978 as reported in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Library Annual Report 1977-1978.
Processing History
Likely processed shortly after acquisition in 1978.
Subject
- West, Olin (Person)
- Title
- Olin West Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- History of Medicine Collections Staff
- Date
- 2004-10-29
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Repository Details
Part of the History of Medicine Manuscripts Collection Repository
Eskind Biomedical Library
2209 Garland Ave.
Nashville TN 37232
historyofmedicine@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.
Requesting Materials
Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.