The William F. Jenks Memorial Trust was established in 1885 by Helen F. Jenks to honor the memory of her husband. The trust placed $5000 under the care of three trustees who would see that the income from the trust generated a cash prize to be awarded every three years in an essay competition sponsored by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The essays were to concern some aspect of obstetrics, gynecology, or the diseases of children. Each prize essay was distinguished by a motto and the name of its author kept in a sealed envelope; only the winning essayist was named.
The President of the College, with the advice of the Jenks Trustees, first appointed the William F. Jenks Prize Committee in 1886. The committee was composed of three Fellows serving three-year terms who would consider all matters relating to the selection of the essay subject and the competition winner. No award was given in the fourth or fifth competitions, and, in 1900, Mrs. Jenks, "not having felt satisfied with the intellectual or scientific results" of the competition, discontinued it and transferred the William F. Jenks Fund to the Library of the College.
From the description of Reports, 1890-1895. (College of Physicians of Philadelphia). WorldCat record id: 122489612
