Osgood, Edwin E. (Edwin Eugene), 1899-1969

Dr. Edwin Eugene Osgood was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on January 25, 1899. Dr. Osgood’s distinguished career in Hematology and Experimental Medicine began with his earning a M.A. in 1923 from the University of Oregon and an M.D. degree in 1924 from the University of Oregon Medical School. His post-doctoral training took place at the Mayo Clinic, University of Vienna, and at Basel, Freiburg, and London. From 1928-36 Dr. Osgood acted as Director of Laboratories at University of Oregon Medical School. In 1936, at that school, the Division of Experimental Medicine was created, with Dr. Osgood at its head.

In 1936, when he was the only physician on the full-time faculty at the University of Oregon Medical School, Dr. Osgood established the first colony of short-term cultures of human marrow cells. In 1941 he initiated the treatment of chronic leukemias with total body X-ray irradiation. In 1954 he established the first successful culture from human, leukemic blood. In 1961 he completed the Osgood Growth Prediction Charts, designed to allow an accurate prediction of a child’s growth from any age to adulthood and allow prediction of future growth. He retired on January 25, 1969.

During his 51 years of service for the University of Oregon Medical School, Osgood wrote nearly 200 articles for professional journals covering almost all aspects of hematological research, authored several revered works on hematology, and had addressed major scientific meetings throughout the world.

Dr. Osgood received honors from many professional societies, including the American Medical Association, the New York Academy of Sciences, the Oregon Academy of Science, Modern Medicine, the American Society of Hematology, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the Leukemia Society, the American College of Physicians, the Tissue Culture Association, and the University of Oregon Medical School Alumni Association.

Dr, Osgood’s publications include the following books: An Atlas of Hematology with Clarice Ashworth, and A Textbook of Laboratory Diagnosis.

From the guide to the Edwin E. Osgood Collection, 1927-1966, (Oregon Health & Science University Historical Collections & Archives)