Gorgas, William Crawford, 1854-1920

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William Crawford Gorgas, an authority in the control of yellow fever, worked as sanitation expert in the preparation and construction of the Panama Canal. He was instrumental in the investigation and control of yellow fever in Cuba, Central and South America, and Africa. Gorgas was appointed Surgeon General of the United States Army January 1914.

From the description of William Crawford Gorgas papers, 1912-1937. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 244484754

A member of the Army Medical Corps since 1880, William C. Gorgas directed sanitation work in Havana, Santiago, and Siboney, Cuba during the Spanish American War and after, from 1899 to 1902, as chief surgeon of the department of Havana. From 1904 to 1913 Gorgas led sanitation activities in the canal zone during construction of the Panama Canal. From 1914 to 1917 he served as Surgeon General of the Army.

From the guide to the William Crawford Gorgas Papers, 1890-1918, (History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine)

Surgeon General of the United States.

From the description of Gorgas collection, 1903-1933. (Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Association Library). WorldCat record id: 70938939

Army medical officer.

From the description of Papers of William Crawford Gorgas, 1885-1919 (bulk 1904-1913). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84401330

Biographical Note

  • 1854, Oct. 3: Born, Mobile, Ala.
  • 1875: Graduated, University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.
  • 1879: Awarded doctor of medicine degree, Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York, New York, N.Y.
  • 1880: Commissioned lieutenant, United States Army Medical Corps and assigned to duty in Texas
  • 1885: Promoted to captain
  • 1888: Transferred from Fort Randall, N.Dak., to Fort Barrancas, Fla., to aid in control of yellow fever epidemic
  • 1898: Promoted to major Appointed medical officer in Cuba during Spanish-American War
  • 1899: Assumed duties as sanitation officer of Havana, Cuba, with American occupation forces
  • 1903: Promoted to colonel in recognition for services in Cuba
  • 1904: Appointed chief sanitation officer of the Panama Canal Zone during period of canal construction
  • 1907: Named member of Isthmian Canal Commission
  • 1914: Appointed surgeon general of United States Army with rank of brigadier general
  • 1915: Promoted to major general
  • 1916: Chief of Yellow Fever Commission, Rockefeller Foundation
  • 1918: Official retirement from United States Army
  • 1920, July 4: Died, London, England; buried in Arlington Cemetery

From the guide to the William Crawford Gorgas Papers, 1857-1919, (bulk 1904-1913), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Kean, Jefferson Randolph, 1860-1950. Papers of Jefferson Randolph Kean, 1765-1938. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Martin, Thomas (Thomas Wesley), 1881-1964. Papers, 1921-1965. Auburn University.
referencedIn George W. Goethals Papers, 1890-1954, (bulk 1907-1927) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn McCormick, Vance Criswell, 1872-1946. Vance Criswell McCormick papers, 1907-1946 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Gorgas, William C.,. Additional correspondence of General Kean in 5 folders [manuscript]. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Lampson (Robin) Collection, 1868-1975 University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
creatorOf Kean, Jefferson Randolph, 1860-1950. Papers of Jefferson Randolph Kean [manuscript], 1906-1950. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Gorgas, William Crawford, 1854-1920. William Crawford Gorgas papers, 1912-1937. Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries
referencedIn W. B. O. Field portrait collection, ca. 1600-1900. Houghton Library
referencedIn Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943. Papers of John F. Stevens, 1914-1942. Library of Congress
referencedIn Todd, Mabel Loomis, 1856-1932. Mabel Loomis Todd papers, 1863-1948 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Clifton, Michele. Gorgas Tree, 2011. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Thompson, William Gilman, 1856-1927,. William Gilman Thompson autograph collection, 1771-1924 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Bingham family papers Yale University Library
referencedIn Reinsch, Paul Samuel, 1869-1923. Papers, 1835-1924, 1963. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Alabama Writers' Project. Photographs, 1901-1941. Alabama Department of Archives and History
creatorOf Gorgas, William Crawford, 1854-1920. Gorgas collection, 1903-1933. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Association Library
referencedIn Philippe Bunau-Varilla Papers, 1877-1955, (bulk 1900-1907) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Yale Peruvian Expedition papers, 1908-1948 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Lucien Howe papers, 1892-1940 (inclusive), 1907-1931 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Bingham family papers Yale University Library
referencedIn Rockefeller Foundation. Rockefeller Foundation Archives,1910-(1912-1989). Rockefeller Archive Center
referencedIn Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventive Medicine. Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventive Medicine records, 1899-1992. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 1921 - 2008. Audio Recordings. 1945 - 1965. INHERITANCE. No. 29, THE STORY OF WILLIAM CRAWFORD GORGAS ; INVITATION TO LEARNING. No. 130 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Letters sent to Walter Hines Page from various correspondents, English period, 1876-1937. Houghton Library
creatorOf Barringer, Paul B. (Paul Brandon), 1857-1941. Papers of Paul Brandon Barringer [manuscript] 1787- [1892-1967]. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Barbour, Thomas, 1884-1946. Letters to Thomas Barbour, 1909-1941 (inclusive) Harvard University, Ernst Mayr Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology
creatorOf William Crawford Gorgas Papers, 1890-1918 History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn Walter Reed Papers, 1888-1972 History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn John Sharp Williams Papers, 1902-1924, (bulk 1914-1924) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Todd, Mabel Loomis, 1856-1932. Mabel Loomis Todd papers, 1863-1948 (inclusive) Yale University Library
referencedIn Adams, Charles Francis, 1835-1915. Charles Francis Adams papers [manuscript], 1871-1915. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Bayne-Jones, Stanhope, 1888-1970. Stanhope Bayne-Jones papers, 1852-1969. National Library of Medicine
creatorOf William Crawford Gorgas Papers, 1857-1919, (bulk 1904-1913) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventive Medicine Records, 1899-1992 History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn Ferguson, Henry Noel, 1904-1984. Ferguson, Henry Noel, photograph collection, 1847, 1889, 1931-1968, 1980. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Lampson, Robin, 1900-. Robin Lampson collection, 1868-1937. University of the Pacific, William Knox Holt Memorial Library
referencedIn Vance Criswell McCormick papers, 1907-1946 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Monroe, James, 1758-1831. Correspondence of Jefferson Randolph Kean [manuscript] 1824(1896)-1939. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Stanhope Bayne-Jones Papers, 1852-1969 History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn McCormick, Vance Criswell, 1872-1946. Vance Criswell McCormick papers, 1907-1946 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Yale Peruvian Expedition (1911). Yale Peruvian Expedition papers, 1908-1948 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Kean, Jefferson Randolph, 1860-1950. Papers of Jefferson Randolph Kean [manuscript] 1890-1950. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Simpson, J. H. (James Hervey), 1813-1883. James H. Simpson and family papers, 1825-1932. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Henry Adams autograph album, 1833-1939. Houghton Library
referencedIn William Gilman Thompson autograph collection, 1771-1924 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Thorington, James, 1858-1944. Papers, 1889-1941. College of Physicians of Philadelphia
referencedIn Mabel Loomis Todd papers, 1863-1948 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Documentary Films. 1914 - 1944. WAR AND PEACE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Ferguson (Henry Noel) Photograph Collection 86-268., 1847, 1889, 1931-1968, 1980 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf [Gorgas, William Crawford, biographical materials] University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
referencedIn Hench, Philip S., 1896-1965. Philip S. Hench Walter Reed Yellow Fever Collection, 1806-1995, bulk 1863-1974 Historical Collections, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia
referencedIn Kean, Jefferson Randolph, 1860-1950. Correspondence between Gen. Jefferson Randolph Kean and Harry Clemons [manuscript] : subjects included are the descendants of Thomas Jefferson and the work of Walter Reed and William C. Gorgas against yellow fever, 1935-1942. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Rockefeller Foundation. International Health Board. Docket for meeting of International Health Board, October 23, 1917. National Library of Medicine
creatorOf Reed, Walter, 1851-1902. Walter Reed papers, 1888-1972. National Library of Medicine
referencedIn William Crawford Gorgas papers, 1869-1920. University of Alabama
creatorOf Barbee, David Rankin, 1874-1958. Papers of the Kean family [manuscript], 1859-1951. University of Virginia. Library
Relation Name
associatedWith Adams, Charles Francis, 1835-1915. person
associatedWith Adams, Henry, 1838-1918 person
associatedWith Alabama Writers' Project. corporateBody
associatedWith Baker, J. N. person
associatedWith Barbour, Thomas, 1884-1946. person
associatedWith Barringer, Paul B. (Paul Brandon), 1857-1941. person
associatedWith Bayne-Jones, Stanhope, 1888-1970. person
correspondedWith Bevans, James L. (James Lung), 1869-1944 person
associatedWith Bingham family. family
associatedWith Bingham family. family
associatedWith Bingham family. family
correspondedWith Bowles, James Ten Broeck person
correspondedWith Bunau-Varilla, Philippe, 1859-1940. person
associatedWith Carter, Henry Rose, 1852-1925. person
associatedWith Clifton, Michele. person
associatedWith Confederate States of America. Army corporateBody
associatedWith Doughty, William M. person
correspondedWith Doughty, William M. (William McDowell), 1881-1944 person
associatedWith Ferguson (Henry Noel) person
associatedWith Ferguson, Henry Noel, 1904-1984. person
correspondedWith Ferris, F. A. (Frank A.), -1918 person
associatedWith Field, William B. Osgood, collector. person
associatedWith Finlay, Carlos Juan, 1833-1915. person
correspondedWith Goethals, George W. (George Washington), 1858-1928 person
correspondedWith Gorgas family family
associatedWith Gorgas, Josiah, 1818-1883 person
associatedWith Gorgas Memorial Institute of Tropical and Preventive Medicine. corporateBody
correspondedWith Guiteras, John, 1852-1925 person
associatedWith Hench, Philip S. (Philip Showalter), 1896-1965 person
correspondedWith Howe, Lucien, 1848-1928 person
associatedWith Kean, Jefferson Randolph, 1860-1950. person
correspondedWith Keen, William W. (William Williams), 1837-1932 person
associatedWith Keen, W. W. (William Williams), 1837-1932. person
associatedWith Lampson, Robin, 1900- person
associatedWith Lazear, Jesse William, 1866-1900 person
associatedWith Martin, Thomas (Thomas Wesley), 1881-1964. person
associatedWith McCormick, Vance Criswell, 1872-1946. person
correspondedWith McCulloch, C. C. (Champe Carter), 1869-1928 person
correspondedWith Mitchell, S. Weir (Silas Weir), 1829-1914 person
associatedWith Moore, Monica. person
associatedWith Page, Walter Hines, 1855-1918 person
correspondedWith Plummer, G. R. (George R.) person
associatedWith Reed, Walter, 1851-1902. person
associatedWith Reinsch, Paul Samuel, 1869-1923. person
associatedWith Robin Lampson person
associatedWith Rockefeller Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Rockefeller Foundation. International Health Board. corporateBody
associatedWith Rockefeller Foundation. Yellow Fever Commission. corporateBody
correspondedWith Schilling, Claus Karl, 1871-1946 person
associatedWith Simpson, J. H. (James Hervey), 1813-1883. person
correspondedWith Sternberg, George Miller, 1838-1915 person
correspondedWith Stevens, George T. (George Thomas), 1832-1921 person
associatedWith Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943. person
associatedWith Thompson, William Gilman, 1856-1927, person
associatedWith Thorington, James, 1858-1944. person
associatedWith Todd, Mabel Loomis, 1856-1932. person
associatedWith United States. Army corporateBody
correspondedWith Williams, John Sharp, 1854-1932. person
associatedWith Yale Peruvian Expedition (1911) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Southern States
United States
United States
Cuba
Brazil
Cuba
Panama--Canal Zone
Panama
Peru
Subject
Medicine
Medicine
Medicine
Medicine
Medicine, Military
Public health
Public health
Public health
Public health
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
Tropical medicine
World War, 1914-1918
Yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever
Occupation
Army officers
Physicians
Physicians
Surgeons General
Activity

Person

Birth 1854-10-03

Death 1920

English

Information

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Ark ID: w6d79dw0

SNAC ID: 56318798