Vail, Dellah Harris, d. 1935

Dr. Derrick T. Vail purchased Robert Browning's desk from E.P. Dutton & COmpany on February 20, 1915 for his wife, Dellah Harris Vail. Mrs. Vail bequeathed the desk to Smith College in memory of her daughter, Charlotte Farrell Vail, Class of 1923, who died at Smith College on March 11, 1923. The desk was received by the College after Mrs. Vail's death on December 7, 1935. The desk contained the items of this collection.

From the description of Dellah Harris Vail papers on Robert Browning's desk, 1861-1934. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 52915681

Derrick T. Vail was born on October 2, 1864 in Franklin, Ohio. After graduating from Miami Medical College in 1890, he practiced ophthalmology in Cincinnati, Ohio. His discovery of Tularemia-Conjunctivitis in man with Dr. William B. Wherry was his major contribution to medicine.

Dr. Vail married Dellah Harris of Franklin, Ohio, on April 14, 1891. The couple lived at 2219 Park Avenue, Walnut Hills, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Their daughter Charlotte Farrell Vail attended Smith College with the Class of 1923. She died in Northampton, Massachusetts, on March 11, 1923. Dr. Vail died on October 29, 1930. Mrs. Vail died on December 7, 1935. They were survived by their daughter Rosalind Vail Dwight of Cincinnati, Ohio.

From the guide to the Dellah Harris Vail Papers on Robert Browning's Desk MS 13., 1861-1934, (Mortimer Rare Book Room)