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Josiah C. McCracken Papers

 Collection
Call Number: RG 113

Scope and Contents

The Biographical Documentation of Series I includes articles and clippings about McCracken, memorabilia, and material compiled by his daughter Helen McCracken Fulcher. The Correspondence of Series II includes family correspondence, circular letters describing McCracken's work in China, and a valuable of collection of correspondence and documents relating to the graduates of the Medical Department of St. John's University in Shanghai. The Writings and Collected Material of Series III include articles and speeches by McCracken, other articles about China, and documentation related to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School at St. John's University. Series IV includes photographs of McCracken, his students and their families, the staff of the Medical School in Guangzhou (Canton), and medical cases.

Dates

  • 1901-1961

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Helen McCracken Fulcher and Martha McCracken.

Arrangement

  1. I. Biographical Documentation
  2. II. Correspondence
  3. III. Writings and Collected Material
  4. IV. Photographs

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet (8 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/divinity.113

Abstract

Correspondence, writings, and collected material document the work of a distinguished medical missionary and educator in China and provide information about graduates of the Medical Department of St. John's University, Shanghai. Josiah Calvin McCracken was a medical missionary and educator in China from 1906 to 1948. Sent out by the Christian Association of the University of Pennsylvania, he headed the medical department at Canton Christian College from 1907 to 1912, and at St. John's University in Shanghai from 1914-1942

Biographical / Historical

1874
Born in Lincoln County, Tennessee; grew up in Kansas
1891-1895
Attended Cooper College, which became Sterling College, Sterling, KS
1896-1901
Attended University of Pennsylvania Medical School; athletic star in football and track
1901-1903
YMCA secretary, Columbia University
1903-1905
Medical intern at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia
1906
Visited China to evaluate need for medical work there for Christian Association of University of Pennsylvania
1906
Married Helen Newpher, who became the mother of their eight children.
1907-1912
Developed the University Medical School at Canton Christian College, serving under the Christian Association of the University of Pennsylvania
1912-1913
On furlough in U.S.; daughter Mary Elizabeth paralyzed by polio, but was later able to go to medical school and become a pediatrician in China.
1914-1942
Dean of the Medical School of St. John's University, associated with the University of Pennsylvania; Professor of Surgery and chief surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital; physician to Shanghai American School.
1927
Received honorary Doctor of Science degree from University of Pennsylvania
1938-1942
Head of American Red Cross Hospital for Refugees, Shanghai
1942
Repatriated on the exchange ship Gripsholm
1942-1946
Staff surgeon at hospital in Pennsylvania
1944
Helen McCracken died.
1946-1948
Returned to Shanghai to reestablished Medical School at St. John's.
1948
Returned to U.S.; retired from active professional duties but remained active in church-related activities. Provided numerous letters of reference for St. John's Medical School graduates seeking employment in the U.S.
1962
Died

Additional biographical information available in Mission to Shanghai; the life of medical service of Josiah Calvin McCracken by Helen McCracken Fulcher.

Title
Guide to the Josiah C. McCracken Papers
Author
Compiled by Martha Lund Smalley
Date
1998
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared According To Local Divinity Library Descriptive Practices
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

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