Dr. L. Benjamin Sheppard retired from ophthalmology in 1986, after serving the Richmond area for 50 years. He was always very committed to his patients, colleagues, and friends by taking time to visit regularly, call, or write letters. Some of that correspondence may be found in this collection.
Dr. Sheppard was born in Glen Allen, Virginia and raised on a farm. The rural setting gave him an appreciation for nature and taught him about life and death, which would serve him his entire life. He started his education at Glenn Allen Elementary School, and attended John Marshall High School in Richmond, which he commuted to by train.
Dr. Sheppard received his medical degree from the University of Virginia in 1930, and he kept in touch with his classmates by attending reunions. His medical training continued at the Medical College of Virginia from 1930 to 1933. From 1933 to 1935 he received further training at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital in New York City. He spoke very highly in his reminiscences of the Broadway personalities he met while in New York.
Before returning to Richmond to practice medicine, he received a job as ship surgeon on the SS EX ARCH an American passenger and cargo ship. The ship traveled the Mediterranean, stopping in Athens, Constanta, Romania, Malta, and the North African Coast to Casablanca. Once returning to the States Dr. Sheppard received a telegram to return to MCV because he was needed to teach ophthalmology and treat patients. His love for travel and adventure would never end, and he would attend many international conferences over the course of his life.
Dr. Sheppard did considerable work in ophthalmic research, focusing on anatomical and physiological aspects of eye disease. He was especially interested in congenital glaucoma and used buthalmic rabbits which were raised in Bar Harbor, Maine by the Jackson Laboratory. He used these animals to find the exact physical action on the eye caused by glaucoma. He ws one of the found members of the Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital where he undertook some of his research. which he was one of the founding members of the hospital.
Dr. Sheppard had an intense interest in medical history. He applied himself to extended research on the life and medical practice of John Peter Mettauer, of Prince Edward County. Mettauer was one of Virginia's pioneer physicians, and Dr. Sheppard's research on him can be found within the collection. Another historical project Dr. Sheppard was developing was a history of ophthalmology in Virginia. Although this project remains uncompleted it contains allot of research on specific individuals who practiced medicine in Virginia.
Dr. Sheppard had memberships to many medical organizations such as; American Medical Association, Virginia Society of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Ophthalmological Society, and the Virginia Society for the Prevention of Blindness. He also participated on the staffs of several Richmond hospitals. He was appointed to the Departments of Anatomy and Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Virginia, and he was a board member of the Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital.
His community life involved him in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Richmond Rotary Club and presided as president in 1956. He was also a member of the board at the YMCA
Dr. Sheppard lead his life with active determination never slowing till the very end. His research gave much insight to the field of ophthalmology, and his influence directed many students to this field. Dr. Sheppard took pride in being raised in the rural south.
From the guide to the Papers of Louis Benjamin Sheppard, M.D., (Special Collections and Archives, Tompkins-McCaw Library)
