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Dr. Harley E. French Papers
Dr. Harley E. French Papers, 1910-1961
Collection Overview
Title: Dr. Harley E. French Papers, 1910-1961
ID: OGLMC142
Primary Creator: French, Harley E. (1873-1961)
Extent: 1.25 Linear Feet
Subjects: University of North Dakota - Faculty, University of North Dakota - Medical School
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Collection Historical Note
Harley Ellsworth French was born December 7, 1873, in Delphi, Indiana. He was one of eight children born to David (also known as Charles) and Mina (Fischer) French. He was educated in the public schools of Kearney, Nebraska, and Palouse, Washington. After graduation from Palouse High School, he attended Spokane College, as well as the University of Idaho. During this time, he passed a qualifying examination and began teaching in rural schools in Washington and Idaho.
He graduated from Washington State College in Pullman, Washington, in 1902, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his time at the College, he was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, was editor- in-chief of the student newspaper, a member of the debate team, and student body president. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, in 1907. While at Northwestern, he pledged for Nu Sigma Nu, a medical fraternity. He was also a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, an honorary medical fraternity.
He next joined the faculty at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion as a professor of anatomy and physiology. He attended four summer sessions at the University of Chicago, and graduated with a Master of Science degree in 1911. In 1910, he married Mable Townsley of Vermillion on September 3, 1910. The couple had two children: Mary Margaret and Burton Townsley.
In 1911, Dr. French left Vermillion to become the Dean of the Medical School at the University of North Dakota. Faced with scant funds, resources, and equipment, French narrowed the Medical School's scope to emphasize sound teaching and public health work. He led the school through difficult times during the Great Depression, when state appropriations dropped to such a level to threaten closure of the school. Dr. French retired in 1947, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University in 1948. In 1949, the newly constructed Medical School Library was named in his honor.
Dr. French served as Secretary for the North Dakota State Board of Health, 1921-1923. He was also a member of the North Dakota Medical Association, serving as President from 1921 to 1922. Other medical organizations with which he was involved included the American Medical Association, the North Dakota Tuberculosis Society, the North Dakota Society for Crippled Children, and the American Red Cross. Locally, he was involved with the Masons, the Franklin Club, the Fortnightly Club, and the Lions.
Dr. Harley E. French died February 4, 1961, in Grand Forks. He is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Additional materials were donated by:
Mary Margaret Frank, Grand Forks, North Dakota: March 1, 1979 (79-578); July 5, 1979 (81-729); May 1988 (88-1587); November 2006 (2006-2872)
Transferred from University Archives in July 1987 (87-1542)
Judy Rieke, UND Medical School, June 3, 1997 (97-2123)
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Method: Donation; the original acquisition records are unavailable.
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Dr. Harley E. French Papers. OGLMC 142, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in September 2014.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[All]
- Box 1
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Date Books, 1890-1894
- Folder 2: Date Books, 1896-1900
- Folder 3: Date Books, 1903-1907
- Folder 4: H. F. French, "Single Examination for Those Who Treat the Sick," The Journal- Lancet, December 15, 1915
- Folder 5: H. E. French, "Public Health Organization and Work in North Dakota," North Dakota State Board of Health Bulletin, Vol. 15, no, 2, April, 1922
- Folder 6: North Dakota State Board of Health 17th Biennial Report, 1922
- Folder 7: Anatomy - First Year Medical Class Grade Book, 1923-1944, H. E. French
- Folder 8: Anatomy - First Year Medical Class Grade Books, 1945-1964, H. E. French and Bruce H. Brandell
- Folder 9: Scrapbook compiled by daughter Mary Margaret Frank
- Folder 10: Correspondence - Dr. French and Edwin B. Stevens regarding Thomas F. Kane administration
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Association of American Medical Colleges Program, 1923
- Folder 2: Civic Club of UND, 1912-1913
- Folder 3: Commencements - various North Dakota schools, 1914-1921
- Folder 4: Grand Forks District Medical Society, 1916-1922
- Folder 5: Institute Program of Lidgerwood, ND, 1914
- Folder 6: "Little Bo-Peep," 1916
- Folder 7: Newspaper clippings, 1921 and 1932
- Folder 8: North Dakota Academy of Science Programs, 1915-1920
- Folder 9: North Dakota Education Association, 1916-1921
- Folder 10: North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs, 1922
- Folder 11: North Dakota Funeral Directors' Association Programs, 1914-1915
- Folder 12: North Dakota State Medical Association Programs, 1915-1924
- Folder 13: North Dakota State Nurses' Association Program, 1915
- Folder 14: Traill County Annual Meeting Program, 1914
- Folder 15: UND Constitution and Regulations, 1916
- Folder 16: Correspondence - Dr. James Grassick to French, 1932-1934
- Folder 17: Correspondence with Edna Twamley, 1938
- Folder 18: Correspondence with Spencer Larsen, North Dakota Tax Survey Commission, 1935-1936
- Folder 19: Guest Book, 1910-1923
- Folder 20: Guest Book, 1923-1924, 1934
- Folder 21: Photographs
142-1: French family home at 316 Hamline Street, 1913
142-2: Living room of the French home at 316 Hamline Street, ca. 1914
142-3: Later image of the French home at 316 Hamline, undated
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[All]