Donald L. Blanchard papers

Collection

Identifier: 2015-010

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Donald L. Blanchard papers houses the personal and academic records of Dr. Donald L. Blanchard. This collections, which dates from 1996 to 2017, consists of writings by Donald Blanchard, including his 1996 translation of Georg Bartisch’s text Ophthalmodouleia, papers for the Cogan Ophthalmic History Society annual meetings, a certificate given to Blanchard, and an Icelandic spar. Blanchard has done extensive studying and writing about Georg Bartisch, a German physician from around the 1500s, who is thought to be the first person to produce a Renaissance manuscript on ophthalmic disorders and eye surgery. In Bartisch’s original book, as well as Blanchard’s English translation, there are wonderful woodcut illustrations of these various eye diseases, surgical tools, and surgical procedures. The Iceland Spar housed in the collection has been used in ophthalmology for glaucoma management and ophthalmoscopy. This collection contains a bevy of information about ophthalmologic history paired with corresponding visuals and artifacts.

Dates

1995-2017

Creator

Blanchard, Donald L., M.D. (Person)

Conditions Governing 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

Dr. Donald L. Blanchard is a retired ophthalmologist and a medical historian. He is a member of the Cogan Ophthalmic History Society and has presented papers including a history of Emily Dickinson’s eye problem. Blanchard is a native of Portland and an alumnus of the OHSU School of Medicine. As of 2016, Dr. Blanchard has continued to serve OHSU as a volunteer at the Casey Eye Institute library where he was an honored recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award for his work on the library holdings. His passion for the work of George Bartisch led him to translate Bartisch’s Ophthalmodouleia from German into English.

Extent

1.26 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

These papers consist of materials written and collected by Dr. Donald Blanchard who studied at OHSU and worked in the ophthalmology department. Within this collection are many writings by Blanchard, including writings about Georg Bartisch and his work, a translation of Bartisch’s text Ophthalmodouleia, work on ophthalmology, and papers for the Cogan Ophthalmic History Society's annual meetings.