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Creator
Francis, John W. (John Wakefield), 1789-1861
Call number
MssCol 1065
Physical description
2.8 linear feet (7 boxes). 3 microfilm reels
Language
English; Some letters to Francis are in French
Preferred Citation

John W. Francis papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

John Wakefield Francis (1789-1861) was a physician who co-founded the New York Academy of Medicine. He served as the second president of the Academy, taught at Bellevue Hospital, wrote medical texts, and edited professional journals. Collection consists of correspondence, financial papers, writings, by-laws and minutes, and related papers of Francis and others. Incoming correspondence, 1809-1861, from colleagues, friends and family members and outgoing correspondence, 1808-1860, contain letters of recommendation, petitions and accounts of medical cases. Correspondence of others includes letters to Francis's associates and family members. Financial documents, 1798-1851, are accounts, receipts, receipt books, checks, and collection notices. Writings are speeches, lectures and notes of Francis and others. Also, minutes and by-laws, 1807-1810, of the Medical and Surgical Society of the University of New York State; and printed material.

Biographical/historical information

John Wakefield Francis, physician, was born in New York City on November 17, 1789, the son of Melchior Francis a German immigrant. Francis higher education was at Columbia College (1809) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, University of the State of New York, Between, 1811-1820, Francis was in partnership with Dr. David Hosack.

Francis attempted to establish the New Rutgers Medical College with four colleagues but the venture failed (1826-1830). On November 16, 1829, he married Maria Eliza Cutler of Boston. In 1846, Francis with Doctors Motts and Steams founded the New York Academy of Medicine and he was elected to be the second President. As a result of his aid, James Marion was able to establish the Woman's Hospital and Francis help establish the State Inebriate Asylum at Binghamton. Near the end of his career, Francis gave clinical instructions at Bellevue Hospital.

Francis edited "The Medical and Physical Journal" and "Philosophical Register" (1810-1814) and he published Thomas Denman's "Introduction to the Practice of Midwifery (1821). Francis writings include "Case of Enteritis, accompanied with a Preter-Natural Formation of the Ileum" (1810). Francis died on February 8, 1861, survived by his son Samuel Ward Francis, a physician and surgeon.

Scope and arrangement

Collection consists of correspondence, financial papers, writings, by-laws and minutes, and related papers of Francis and others. Incoming correspondence, 1809-1861, from colleagues, friends and family members; outgoing correspondence, 1808-1860, contains letters of recommendation, petitions and accounts of medical cases. Correspondence of others include letters to Francis's associates and family members. Financial documents, 1798-1851, are accounts, receipts, receipt books, checks, and collection notices. Writings are speeches, lectures and notes of Francis and others. Also, minutes and by-laws, 1807-1810, of the Medical and Surgical Society of the University of New York State; and printed material. Note: some letters to Francis are in French.

The John W. Francis papers are arranged in six series:

  • 1. Incoming Correspondence
    1809-1861

    Incoming Correspondence from colleagues, friends and family notably Lewis Gaylord Clark, Joseph G. Cogswell and his brother Henry Francis. There are letters of recommendations, petitions and medical cases. Some letters are in french. This series also contains unidentified correspondents.

  • 2. Outgoing Correspondence
    1808-1860

    Series basically covers the same areas as series one. However, there is a letter of Francis dated 17 November, 1860 to Henry B. Dawson about Francis recollections of Governor Morris. A transcript of Dawson is also available.

  • 3. Other Correspondence
    1807-1876

    Correspondence of others contains incoming correspondence to Dr. David Hosack, 1815-1829; Eliza Cutler Francis, 1833-1862; Henry Francis acting as Secretary of the New York Humane Society, 1814-1877; and general correspondence, 1812-1839; Samuel Ward, 1861-1876; Sarah Cutler a letter and notebook, 1807-1836; Mrs. Valentine Francis 1865; and assorted letters 1780-1855.

  • 4. Financial documents
    1798-1851

    Contains accounts, receipts, receipt books, checks and collection notices.

  • Writings
    1808-1861

    Writings are speeches, lectures and notes of Francis. Some writings are attributed to others. Many of the speeches and lectures refer to medical subjects. There is also an incomplete preliminary draft of "Old New York", along with sheets from early drafts and notes.

  • Printed Material
    1807-1917

    Printed material includes engravings.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Multiple purchases and gifts.

Revision History

Microfilm reel information added and minor finding aid revisions made by Allison Hughes. (2025-06-02)

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328

Alternative form available

Entire collection available on microfilm; New York Public Library; *ZL-196