Historical Collections
Historical Collections is open for in-person appointments Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm.
Closed 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Use of materials requires an appointment five days in advance. All users must register, request materials, and make an appointment via your Special Collection Request Account. You will be directed to create an account if you do not already have one. Refer to Historical Collections’ LibGuide titled Archives and Special Collections Research 101 for information and video tutorials using Emory University Libraries’ archival resources.
Overview
The Historical Collections of the WHSC Library primarily documents the history of Emory medicine and health sciences, from the first graduating class in 1855 to current day.
Notable items in our collection are the 1543 first edition of Andreas Vesalius’ book De Humani Corporis Fabrica (On the Fabric of the Human Body), the most important anatomy book in history as it redefined our understanding of human anatomy; the personal papers of renowned cardiologist J. Willis Hurst, who served as cardiologist to President Lyndon Johnson for 18 years; and the papers of Daniel Elkin, a pioneer in vascular surgery in the mid-20th century.
Collection Strengths:
- Emory University history, specific focus on Emory School of Medicine, Nells Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Rollins School of Public Health, including personal and professional papers of faculty and others affiliated with Emory University
- Personal and professional papers of individuals within the fields of medicine, nursing, public health, and health sciences
- 19th and 20th century dental and medical schools in the Atlanta-area • Georgia-based dental and medical professional organizations
Online Resources
To access Historical Collections’ finding aids, visit Emory Special Collections and Archives.
To view the Health Sciences Center Library’s Artifact collection, visit Emory Digital Collections.
To access Historical Collections’ LibGuides:
- Archives and Special Collections Research 101
- African American Resources at History Collections
- Historic Firsts in Nursing, Medicine, and Dentistry at Emory
- The Emory Unit
- Women’s Collections in Historical Collections
Contact Information
Ashley D. Stevens, Archivist
Phone: (404) 727-5819
Email: historical.collections@emory.edu