Robert Edward Dawson papers, 1880-2008

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Summary

Creator:
Dawson, Robert Edward, 1918-
Abstract:
Dr. Robert Edward Dawson (1918-2008) was an African American ophthalmologist and citizen of Durham (Durham County), North Carolina. This collection primarily documents Dawson's professional and civic responsibilities, both local and national. Materials include meeting agendas and packets; reports; memoranda; correspondence, speeches, and writiings. The collection details Dawson's medical practices, teaching, and board memberships at Lincoln Community Health Center, Lincoln Hospital, and Durham County General Hospital/Durham County Hospital Corporation. It also documents his lengthy and high-level involvement with Meharry Medical College and the National Medical Association, as well as a wide array of other organizations and institutions. Personal materials involve Dawson's military service, memorabilia, his documentation for building his house, and his retirement.The collection also contains black and white and color photographs as well as negatives, mostly of family members. Acquired as part of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture.
Extent:
38.5 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.00294

Background

Scope and content:

This collection primarily documents Dawson's professional and civic responsibilities, both local and national. Materials include meeting agendas and packets; reports; memoranda; correspondence, speeches, and writiings. The collection details Dawson's medical practices, teaching, and board memberships at Lincoln Community Health Center, Lincoln Hospital, and Durham County General Hospital/Durham County Hospital Corporation. It also documents his lengthy and high-level involvement with Meharry Medical College and the National Medical Association, as well as a wide array of other organizations and institutions. Personal materials involve Dawson's military service, memorabilia, his documentation for building his house, and his retirement.The collection also contains black and white and color photographs as well as negatives and one tintype, mostly of family members.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Robert Edward Dawson (1918-2008) was an African American ophthalmologist and citizen of Durham (Durham County), North Carolina. He graduated from Clark College with honors in 1939 and from Meharry Medical College with honors in 1943. He spent three years in residency training at Homer G. Philips in St. Louis, Missouri, as a resident in ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat (EENT) surgery. He moved to Durham in 1946 as the first African American EENT surgeon at Lincoln Hospital. Dr. Dawson also served on the attending staff at Watts Hospital and Durham County General Hospital where he served as vice president of staff and later, a member of the board of trustees for the Durham County Hospital Corporation. For many years, Dr. Dawson taught Duke residents in his private office in Durham, at Lincoln Hospital, and in the clinic and operating rooms at Duke Hospital. He was the 79th president of the National Medical Association, and served on many local and national boards and committees. He also served in the United States Air Force (1955-1957), achieving the rank of major.

Acquisition information:
The Robert Edward Dawson papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from 2000 to 2006.
Processing information:

Processed at baseline level by Ann G. Langford; Shayla C. Nunnally; Kate Crassons; Ruth E. Bryan, 2000-2001; further addition processed at baseline level, 2006.

Accessions represented in this collection guide: 2000-0320; 2001-0073; 2001-0153; 2006-0016.

Collection fully processed by Alice Poffinberger, March 2021.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection contains fragile audiovisual/photographic formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert Edward Dawson papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.