Truman G. Blocker, Jr. History of Medicine Collections
The special collections came into being mostly through the efforts of Truman G. Blocker, Jr., M.D. (1909-1984), plastic surgeon, medical educator, and the first President of UTMB. The expansion of the rare book library began in the late 1960s. With funds provided by foundations UTMB clinical departments, and with donations from various individuals, the historical collections grew steadily in the 1970s and the 1980s.
RARE BOOKS
About 18,000 titles, with strengths in anatomy and surgery; anesthesiology; immunology; occupational medicine; psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
ARCHIVES & MANUSCRIPTS
Selected institutional records, personal papers of UTMB faculty and alumni including the Centennial Oral History, and records of several Texas organizations in the health sciences.
VISUAL MATERIALS
10,000 photographs, mostly relating to UTMB; 6,000 portraits of historical figures in medicine; over 100,000 postage stamps; 5,400 hospital postcards.
ARTIFACTS
About 2,000 items including microscopes, medical and surgical instruments, pharmaceutical collection, medals, and related memorabilia.
Sub-communities within this community
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Charles A. Berry, M.D. Papers
Manuscripts, documents, and photographs from the papers of Dr. Charles A. Berry. -
James G. Gaume, M.D. Papers
Manuscripts, documents, and photographs from the papers of Dr. James Gaume. -
William Thornton, M.D. Papers
Manuscripts, documents, and photographs from the papers of Dr. William Thornton.
Collections in this community
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Ashbel Smith Letters
Letters written by Dr. Ashbel Smith, an early Texas physician and medical researcher -
Bubonic Plague Strikes Galveston
Documents related to the Plague outbreak of 1920 -
Greensville S. Dowell M.D. Journals
Journals of Greensville S. Dowell M.D., surgeon, teacher, and editor of the first medical periodical in Texas -
Historical Postcard Collection
Postcards depicting hospitals and medical centers from 1904 to 1994 -
Louis Pasteur Collection
Items from Pasteur's personal library, including letters and unpublished papers -
Microscope Collection
Antique microscopes from the 18th to early 20th centuries -
William Keiller, M.D. Department of Anatomy Drawings
Drawings created by UTMB faculty and students between 1891 and 1981
Recent Submissions
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Bubonic Plague Galveston graph
(1920) -
Rat Trappers
(1920) -
Plague Studies in Galveston, Texas
(1920) -
Shuttle Treadmill
(Unknown) -
Presentation Clip
(1992) -
STS-8
(1983) -
Exercise
(Unknown) -
Urinal Testing
(1985-07-26) -
STS-8 Urine Demonstration
(1983) -
STS-8
(1983) -
STS-8
(1983) -
STS-51B
(1985) -
Zero G Waste Management
(1968) -
Space Techniques Help Surgeons
(Unknown) -
Skylab: Space Station I
(1980) -
Skylab 2
(1973) -
Moonflights and Medicine
(1974) -
Medical Activities at MSC
(1970) -
IMBLMS
(1972) -
IVA footage Apollo 7 and Apollo 8
(1968)