Scope and arrangement
This collection consists of over 500 letters written to Dr. William Randolph R. Granger, Jr. by his parents; his wife, Dr. Isabella Vandervall; his five brothers; relatives; and friends. In addition, the collection contains bills for room and board while he was enrolled at Dartmouth College, typed poetry and prose, and one article by Granger dated November 16, 1918. The letters are mainly of a personal nature; there is a minimal amount of business and professionally-related material. The letters from Granger's parents, primarily his mother Mary (Turpin) Granger, deal with the family's economic situation; his father's medical practice; academic, social and everyday affairs; and the family's health. The letters from his wife, Dr. Isabella Vandervall, a gynecologist, relate to personal and domestic matters and also include some discussion of individual patients and other medical and career matters. There are eight (8) letters from Dr. Aldrich R. Burton, a friend of Granger's who was stationed in France with the 808th Infantry Medical Corps (an African American unit) as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. The letters, written between 1918 and 1919, discuss France, the French people, life at camp, his medical duties, and health and combat issues affecting the soldiers.