Preliminary Inventory of the Robert Edward Dawson Papers, 1939-1998
Collection Overview
This collection documents Dawson's professional and civic life.Materials include scrapbooks; reports; subject files; memoranda; andcorrespondence, in particular from prominent Durhamites, such as Floyd B.McKissick, Sr., and James E. Shepard. The collection details Dawson's medicalpractices, teaching, and board memberships at Lincoln Community Health Center, Lincoln Hospital, and Durham County General Hospital. It also documentshis lengthy and high-level involvement with the following institutions andorganizations: Meharry Medical College, George W. Hubbard Hospital, the National Medical Society, the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness,the North Carolina Society for the Prevention ofBlindness, the Old North State Medical Society, North Carolina Central University, and the Mutual Savings & Loan Association. Thecollection also contains 35 color photographs and 48 negatives. Acquired aspart of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African AmericanDocumentation. (1939-1998) (11,550 items) (19.00 lf) (acc#00-320)
The addition to the collection contains financial materials,correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings and magazine articles (8560items, 1946-1997), and photographs (300 items) that continue to documentDawson's medical career and his involvement in organizations in Durham, NorthCarolina, and nationally. In addition to the institutions, hospitals, medicalpractices, and civic groups that have been described in the first accession,this addition includes materials from Dawson's real estate ventures. Theseinclude owning apartments with the firms Dawson and Watts and then Dawson, Watts and Cleland (1970s) and buildingapartments with the firm Century Oaks, Ltd. (1977-1981). The majority ofthe 2 black-and-white and 297 color photographs appear to be of family. Onetintype is included of an unidentified woman wearing what may be a weddingdress (undated). (8860 items) (14.50 lf) (2001-73)
The addition to the collection (4703 items, dated 1946-1996 and n. d.,bulk date 1998-1994, 12.60 linear feet) includes subject files holding reports,memoranda, correspondence, and printed material, as well as many business andpersonal financial records. In addition, there are two color photographs.(01-153)
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Robert Edward Dawson Papers, 1939-1998
- Creator
- Dawson, Robert Edward, 1918-
- Extent
- 46.1. Linear Feet , 25,113 Items
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Location
- For current information on the location ofthese materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
- Language
- English.
Administrative Information
A majority of collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 24 business hours in advance for retrieval. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is restricted.
In addition, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Some of the materials in this collection are not immediately accessible, because they require further processing before use. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Attention: Collection needs further processing before use. Reformat newsprint and coated fax paper in boxes 8-14; remove materials in envelopes and rusty fasteners throughout; resleeve photographs in boxes 3, 8, and 11; be aware of sensitive material in boxes 1, 9 and 14 (student grades) and personal medical and financial information (throughout). Contact Technical Services.
Attention: Collection is restricted. Patrons must sign a release form regarding privacy rights. Contact Technical Services.
Other items in oversize folders.
Other items in oversize folders.
Other items in oversize folders.
Other items in oversize folders.
Other items in oversize folders.
Other items in oversize folders.
Including the Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust and the State of North Carolina, Department of Human Resources, Medical Care Advisory Committee
[One folder includes sensitive material-student grades]
[includes sensitive material: student grades]
Includes correspondence and clippings.
Includes clippings.
Some of the materials in this collection are not immediately accessible, because they require further processing before use. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Attention: Needs further processing before use. See notes for each box below. Contact Technical Services.
Attention: Collection is restricted and contains sensitive information throughout. Users must sign release form regarding privacy rights. Contact Technical Services.
Remove rusty fasteners; remove envelope contents.
Remove rusty fasteners; reformat newspaper clippings; remove envelope contents.
[removed to oversize folder]
Remove rusty fasteners; reformat newspaper clippings; remove envelope contents.
Remove rusty fasteners; reformat newspaper clippings; resleeve photographs; remove envelope contents.
Reformat coated paper; remove rusty fasteners; remove envelope contents.
Reformat newspaper clippings; remove rusty fasteners.
Reformat newspaper clippings; remove rusty fasteners; remove envelope contents.
Reformat newspaper clippings; remove rusty fasteners; remove envelope contents.
Reformat newspaper clippings; remove rusty fasteners; remove envelope contents.
Remove contents from folders; remove rubber bands, rusty fasteners.
Reformat newspaper clippings; remove contents from folders; remove rubber bands, rusty fasteners.
Reformat newspaper clippings; remove contents from folders; remove rusty fasteners.
[from box 2]
Some of the materials in this collection are not immediately accessible, because they require further processing before use. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes; reformat newsprint.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes, reformat newsprint.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Contains rusty fasteners.
Needs more processing: Resleeve photograph.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes, reformat newsprint.
[possibly subject files]
Needs more processing: Resleeve photograph; remove material from envelopes.
One folder of legal-sized material removed to box 21.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes.
Needs more processing: Remove material from envelopes; reformat newsprint.
Historical Note
African-American ophthalmologist and citizen of Durham (Durham Co.), N.C. Born on February 23,1918 in Rocky Mount, N.C., Dawson received his B.S. from Clark College inAtlanta, Ga., and his M.D. from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn.
Subject Headings
- Dawson, Robert Edward, 1918-
- McKissick, Floyd B. (Floyd Bixler), 1922-
- Shepard, James Edward.
- Meharry Medical College.
- North Carolina Central University.
- National Medical Association (U.S.)
- National Society to Prevent Blindness.
- Dawson and Watts.
- Dawson, Watts and Cleland.
- Century Oaks, Ltd.
- African American physicians--North Carolina.
- Ophthalmologists.
- African Americans in the professions.
- African American universities and colleges.
- Hospitals--North Carolina.
- Savings and loan associations--North Carolina.
- Black-and-white photographs.
- Color photographs.
- Clippings.
- Negatives.
- Scrapbooks.
- Tintype
- John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African-American Documentation.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Robert Edward Dawson Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Robert Edward Dawson Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift, 2000-2001.
Processing Information
Processed by Ann Langford; Shayla C. Nunnally; Kate Crassons; RuthE. Bryan
Completed June 5, 2000, January 23, 2001, and April 26, 2001
Additions minimally processed by Ann G. Langford
Last updated December 19, 2001
Encoded by Ruth E. Bryan; Ann G. Langford
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
This collection is unprocessed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.
