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Inventory of the Watson Smith Rankin Papers, 1911-1970

Abstract

Professor of pathology; Dean of Wake Forest Medical School; Secretary of the N.C. State Board of Health; Director of the Hospital and Orphan Section of the Duke Endowment.

Correspondence, legal and financial papers, memorabilia, speeches, clippings, printed materials, photographs, and a diary, all relating to the life and career of Dr. Watson Smith Rankin. Correspondence is chiefly between Dr. Rankin and his son, Jesse, friends and other relatives, and professional colleagues; much of the material concerns administrative aspects of medicine related to the Duke Endowment and the State Board of Health. Many of the writings, lectures, and speeches discuss hospital reform, and some concern philosophical and religious issues. There are also financial papers and biographical information. Also includes a 1932 report by the Commission on the Costs of Medical Care, entitled "An outline program of medical care for the People of the United States."

Descriptive Summary

Repository
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator
Rankin, Watson S. (Watson Smith), 1879-1970.
Title
Watson Smith Rankin Papers, 1911-1970
Language of Material
English
Extent
7.6 Linear Feet, 10,729 Items
Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Series Quick Links

Collection Overview

Correspondence, legal and financial papers, memorabilia, speeches, clippings, printed materials, photographs, and a diary, all relating to the life and career of Dr. Watson Smith Rankin. Correspondence is chiefly between Dr. Rankin and his son, Jesse, friends and other relatives, and professional colleagues; much of the material concerns administrative aspects of medicine related to the Duke Endowment and the State Board of Health. Many of the writings, lectures, and speeches discuss hospital reform, and some concern philosophical and religious issues. Financial papers record stock transactions, salaries, taxes, and philanthropic activities of Dr. Rankin. There are also several transcripts of interviews which provide biographical details. Other items include a diary entitled "Of official relations to the Methodist Home," photographs of the Duke Endowment trustees and of several N.C. governors, and Rankin's writings on Dr. John Atkinson Ferrell, who served in the Rockefeller Foundation's health division. Also includes a 1932 report by the Commission on the Costs of Medical Care, entitled "An outline program of medical care for the People of the United States."

Administrative Information

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warning Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this 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.

warning 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

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Correspondence, 1925-1928
Box 1
Correspondence, 1930-1932
Box 2
Correspondence, 1933-1936
Box 3
Correspondence, 1937-1939 Aug.
Box 4
Correspondence, 1939 Sept.-1942
Box 5
Correspondence, 1943-1946
Box 6
Correspondence, 1947-1951 Sept.
Box 7
Correspondence, 1951 Oct.-1956 Mar.
Box 8
Correspondence, 1956 Apr.-1960
Box 9
Correspondence, 1961-1964 May
Box 10
Correspondence, 1964 June-1970
Box 11
Writings, 1911-1949
Box 12
Writings, 1952-1967
Box 13
Speeches, 1927-1949
Box 13
Bergson-Gifford Lectures
Box 14
Hocking-Tillich Lectures
Box 15
Writings and speeches by others, 1911-1970
Box 16
Miscellaneous Writings, 1932-1970
Box 16
Financial papers
Box 17
Legal papers
Box 17
Newspaper clippings
Box 17
Genealogy
Box 17
Photographs
Box 18
Scrapbook
Box 18
Duke Endowment album, 1964
Box 19
Oversize materials
Oversize Folder 1-2

Historical Note

Watson smith Rankin was a Professor of Pathology; Dean of Wake Forest Medical School; Secretary of the N.C. State Board of Health; and Director of the Hospital and Orphan Section of the Duke Endowment.

Subject Headings

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Watson Smith Rankin Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Provenance

The Watson Smith Rankin Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 1971.

Processing Information

Processed by Rubenstein Library staff, January 1971.

Encoded by Carrie Mills, May 2011.

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 1-22-71, 2-12-74, 1-2-82, 11-11-83, 10-1-86

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.