Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons - P and S Yearbook (New York, NY)

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old Potter's field cemetary. and such anatomical specimens could only be secured by uncertain, illegal and often dangerous nocturnal expeditions. Understandably. in 1819. when the College moved to Barclay Street. for the safety and convenience of the College, an additional building, to answer the purpose ofa stable and an entrance, were built in the rear. There is no doubt that this rear entrance and stable were built for the safety and convenience of resurrectionist expeditions in the interest of the Anatomy department. In 1856, the College moved into a four story brick building on 23rd street and 4th Avenue, where it remained for thirty-one years fFig. 31. This period encompassed three important milestones in the history of Figures 7 lrightl, 8 lbelow, lefty, and 9 lbelow, rightl ? '-il , gn. 1. lr nl Q. ' affix T AT- , f. , '-25 1,1551 ' 1 I VP i 1 in In K -sis Ji- . '. ' .. 'g .,A' ,x fig' by L S e fl Q i' .' ', 6. ,pill c., W' Q- F., n,X, ,fo .4 l 1-N-'ww ,,. l gy 1 '1 - fi if PL ' bw n 1 . Q1 5 .' ' N ' Aug. l.,',C- fgg. fel., . 7 1.-1 i: s ' fa 'tl N F ' tri' 1 i . 1 I it.-:lZb 1:'WQ, ,. 4 H V' m if fffjpzpiinlf' 3 -4 ' ? : , gtrk- r! g, .- 1' 'A rs .' - --. - -- . 1.!.x 'gl Yi P25-? , 1 -.l . M il 3. il ig' ' 5 'J . lg . X .W l 1 1 . I the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Two ofthese were discussed earlier: namely the 1860 agreement under which the College became independent ofthe Regents, and became the Medical Department of Columbia College. and the rapid rise in the importance and prominence ofthe College Clinics begun. in 1841, by Dr. Parker, with the establishment ofthe new teaching grade ofClinical Professors. Lastly, under the active leadership of President Edward Delafield. the Alumni Association ofthe College of Physicians and Surgeons was established in 1859 for promoting good feeling and harmony among the graduates ofthe College and to exercise, in a variety of ways. a beneficial influence. In 1884, William H. Vanderbilt decided. with the influence of his friend and physician. James W. McLane. Professor of Obstetrics. to give substantial aid to the effort to create in New York one ofthe first medical schools in the world . He chose to support the College of 28 -I Physicians and Surgeons because it was the oldest medical school in the state, and of equal rank with any in the world. In October 1884, he gave the College the deed to the land enclosed between 9th and 10th Avenues. and 59th and 60th Streets, with a check for three-hundred thousand dollars for building expenses: In all. a gift of half ofa million dollars. However, W. Vanderbilt never lived to see his project completed: he died in December 1885 ofa massive stroke. The College building cornerstone was laid in April 1886, and the building was inaugurated in September 1887 tFigs. 4 and 55. The building consisted of three connected structures: namely, a main building, . . . containing offices, museums, study and recitation rooms. professors' rooms. and the department ofpractical Anatomy lFig. 6l1 a middle building occupying the central part ofthe grounds. in which are the main stairway hall. the lecture hall, the amphitheatre. and the rear stairway: and a north building or laboratory wing. . . . containing thejanitor's quarters, the chemical laboratories, and the laboratories

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In 1884, William H. Vanderbilt decided to give substantial aid to the effort to create in New York one of the first medical schools in the world. In October 1884, he gave the College the deed to the land enclosed between Ninth and Tenth Avenues, and Fifty Ninth and Sixty Streets, with a check for three hundred thousand dollars for building expensesg In all, a gift of half ofa million dollars. Figures 4 topposite pagej, 5 tleftj, and 6 tbelowj. The College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fifty Ninth Street. 27

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f . '. lv LI X 4 4 1 5 1, ni! L 1 v fb. Q . I X 4 , . if H V PM VZ I VV, no--1 yer Y- ' T' C YF, '1.-..-v--v-v I il' I .. n L W n + ni - I - 1 1 z s 1 1 3 ' g e n n . F 1 N 1 , N 1- ., ,. -v1- -- '-' V X ' ' V' 'LW ' ' 7? 1 P' 4 ,hex .XL-. .. .. e 1- ,--X - J '-J -9 5 gla , 1 Sf P2 .... .-..--r-- 1,1-.1-1... 55 f.-N '- f ' .fb if T .- 5 F 1 Q i sv. 4.515 .I The entrance to the College of Physicians and Surgeons on January 3, 1927