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Weston P. Chamberlain papers

 Collection
Identifier: M028

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Scope and Content

Memorabilia of Colonel Weston P. Chamberlain, including Bowdoin College material such as daily journals and Bowdoin diploma. Includes 17 diaries, journals, and correspondence from 1889-1912, 24 medical periodical off-prints by Chamberlain from 1910-1933, 18 diplomas and certificates, and 14 images of Chamberlain. Also contains personal items such as campaign badges, medals, medical instruments and a silver inkwell.

Dates

  • Creation: 1889-1933

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Biographical/Historical Note

Weston Percival Chamberlain was a surgeon in the United States Army Medical Corps (1898-1935). He was known as an authority on tropical medicine, particularly the treatment of beri-beri.

Chamberlain, son of Joseph Austin Chamberlain and Sarah Maria Weston Chamberlain, was born in Bristol, Maine on June 4, 1871. He prepared at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle (1888-89) before entering Bowdoin College (Class of 1893). He went on to graduate from Harvard Medical School (Class of 1897), London School of Tropical Medicine (1912), and the Army War College (1922-23).

Chamberlain served in the Spanish American War (1898), including the Phillipine Insurrection (1899-1901), and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his services in World War I. He was with the medical corps in the Phillipine Islands (1899-1901; 1904-06; 1910-12), Jackson Barracks, Louisiana (1906-10), Washington D. C. (1917-24; 1929-34), and was chief health officer in Balboa Heights, Panama Canal Zone (1924-29).

Chamberlain was married in Boston, Massachusetts on September 10, 1903, to Eleanor Adele Stanton Bush, daughter of Major James Clark Bush, U. S. Army, and grand-daughter of Edwin McMasters Stanton, secretary of war in President Lincoln's cabinet. They had a daughter, Eleanor Maria, who married Earl Kendall Van Swearingen, a naval captain in Washington D. C. Chamberlain died June 7, 1948 in Palo Alto, California, where he had lived for twelve years in retirement.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Memorabilia of Colonel Weston P. Chamberlain, including diaries, journals, and correspondence from 1889-1912, and Bowdoin College materials.

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Weston P. Chamberlain Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.