John E. Weeks papers

Collection

Identifier: 2001-003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the materials are manuscripts of the autobiography of Dr. John E. Weeks. They are dated circa 1940-1954.Various correspondence and photographs date circa 1880-1954. The collection contains various stages of the manuscript with corrections, photographs, and legends to be used in the publication, the bibliography, and correspondence with publishers, persons, and organizations as sources of information. Also included is a copy of the completed autobiography and other publications.

Dates

1886-1961
Majority of material found within 1920-1950

Creator

Weeks, John Elmer, 1853-1949 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open to the public.

Conditions Governing Use

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Biographical Note

John Elmer Weeks was born on August 9, 1853 in Painesville, Ohio. In 1881 he received a medical degree from the University of Michigan and completed an internship at the Alms House and Workhouse Hospital on Welfare Island, New York. He became a clinical assistant in 1882 and later became a resident physician in 1885 and an assistant surgeon in 1887 at the Opthalmic and Aural Institute under Dr. Herman Knapp. In 1884, he spent a year taking postgraduate studies at the University of Berlin. He identified a bacteria, causative in acute epidemic conjunctivitis, in 1886; it was named in his honor, Koch-Weeks bacillus.

After serving as chief of clinic at the Vanderbilt Clinic, College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1888, he maintained a position as surgeon with the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary until his retirement in 1920 at which time he became a consulting surgeon. He was one of the founders of the Board of Ophthalmology and authored numerous articles and two textbooks, Diseases of the Eyes Ears Nose and Throat: A Manuel for Students and Practitioners (1892) and Diseases of the Eye (1910).

Dr. Weeks traveled extensively as a much sought after lecturer. He received wide acclaim for his manual dexterity and for his method of reconstructing the orbital socket and surgical treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. He received many honors and held chairmanships and memberships in many professional and secular clubs and societies and was known for his diligence, honesty, and modesty.

He married Jennie Post Parker on April 29, 1890. She was his constant companion and devoted her life to his care. They had one daughter, Eveline Weeks Mount. After his retirement in 1924, he moved to Portland, Oregon to be near her and his grandchildren.

While living in Portland he spent a great deal of time at the University of Oregon Medical School. He advised in the Department of Ophthamology and supported research. Seeing the need for a medical library, he donated $100,000 for its construction. After a long illness, he died in La Jolla, California, February 2, 1949.

Extent

.75 Linear Feet (2 Boxes, 1 oversized folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

John Elmer Weeks (1853-1949) was an eye surgeon, author, and an extensive traveler and lecturer. He helped found the Board of Ophthalmology, discovered the Koch-Weeks bacillus, and was widely acclaimed for his method of reconstructing the orbital socket and surgical treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. This collection consists primarily of materials used in the composition of his autobiography, including manuscript drafts, correspondence, and some photographs.

Acquisition Information

Dr. John E. Weeks and his wife, Jennie, created and accumulated the materials while writing his autobiography. The collection was transferred to the University of Oregon Medical School Library. The OHSU Special Collections staff processed them July 2001.