Guide to the Francis Bayard Carter Papers, 1943-1976
Abstract:
Contains the professional papers of Francis Bayard "Nick" Carter (1898-1977), physician, professor, and chair of the Duke University School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Types of materials include correspondence, subject files, speeches and presentations, reports, budgets, lists, course materials, studies and personal materials. Major subjects include study and teaching of obstetrics and gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, and Duke University Hospital. Materials range in date from 1943 to 1976. Contains restricted materials.
- Contact Information:
- Duke University Medical Center
Archives and Memorabilia
DUMC 3702
Durham, North Carolina
27710 USA
Phone: (919) 383-2653
Fax: (919) 383-1649
Email: dumc.archives@mc.duke.edu - Processed by
- Emily Glenn
- Date Completed
- August 2003
- Encoded by
- Emily Glenn
- Date Encoded
- December 2003
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Francis Bayard Carter Papers, 1943-1976
- Creator
- Carter, Francis Bayard, 1898-1977
- Extent
-
- 5 record storage boxes,
- 7,000 items,
- 7.5 linear feet
- Repository
- Duke University Medical Center Archives.
- Call Number
- MC0031
- Location
- Archives Stacks: 9d
Information for Users
- Access Restrictions
- Restricted. Contains personal health information. Contact the Archivist for information about access.
- Usage Restrictions
- Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Preferred Citation
- [Identification of item], Francis Bayard Carter Papers, Duke University Medical Center Archives.
Biographical Note
Francis Bayard Carter was born Wilmington, Delaware on January 20, 1899. He received degrees from University of Delaware (B.A., 1920, D.Sc.) and Oxford University (B.A.. 1923 and M.A., 1932) and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University at Balliol College in 1923. Carter earned his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University Medical School in 1925 and completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Yale University School of Medicine in 1928. From 1929 to 1931, Carter was a professor and acting chair of the University of Virginia (Charlottesville) School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Carter served as 2nd Lieutenant in the American Expeditionary Forces in the United States Army during World War I. Carter also served as a visiting professor at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the School of Medicine in London, England. Carter was a consultant to the Surgeon General of the United States Air Force.
A giant in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Carter devoted his entire career to making childbirth a safer experience. Over the years he and his colleagues at Duke University made major contributions in the causes and treatment of maternal mortality, toxemia, hemorrhage and infection. He was recognized internationally for his innovations and teachings in gynecologic cancer and surgery. During his long and distinguished career in medicine, Dr. Carter contributed more than 100 papers to scientific journals and wrote several books. Among many honors that came to Dr. Carter were honorary doctorate degree from the University of Delaware in 1955 and the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award for distinguished services to the South.
International and national peers in obstetrics and gynecology have recognized Carter as an outstanding teacher, administrator and researcher. In addition to serving as the fourth American College of Gynecology President, he was also president of six other national obstetrical and gynecological societies, an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, honorary member of both the Gynaecological Club of Great Britain and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, and additionally served as president and chair of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (of which he also helped to found in the 1930s) between 1955 and 1964. Fraternal and honor organization memberships included Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Omega Alpha, the Cosmos Club (Washington, D.C.), the Gridiron Club (Oxford University), the Vincents Club (Oxford University), the Masons, the Pithotomy Club (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine), the ToBaC Club (Durham, N.C.), and the Octopus Club of Duke University Faculty.
Fifteen of his former residents expressed their loyalty and respect by forming the "Nick" Carter Travel Club in 1951 for the promotion of scientific knowledge and the exchange of ideas and practices related to obstetrics and gynecology. This organization, now the F. Bayard Carter Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, today has 300 members composed of current or former Duke house staff and faculty. On the occasion of Carter’s retirement in 1964 the society presented an endowment to Duke University for the F. Bayard Carter Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Through the continuing efforts of the society there are now five endowed professorships within the department totaling over $14.7 million plus a research endowment of nearly $1 million. Carter’s legacy of excellence in teaching and research continues at Duke, still significantly impacting women’s healthcare worldwide well into the 21st century.
He was married to Harriet Cook (Roberts) Carter, a founding member of the Duke Hospital Auxiliary. They had one daughter together. Francis Bayard Carter died in 1977.
Collection Overview
Contains correspondence, subject files, speeches, presentations, reports, budgets, lists, course materials, and personal materialspertaining to the professional career of Bayard Francis "Nick" Carter (1899-1977), physician, professor, and chair of the Duke University School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Materials range in date from 1943 to 1976. Contains restricted materials.
Online Catalog Headings
- Carter, Francis Bayard, 1898-1977
- Duke University. Hospital.
- Duke University. School of Medicine.
- Obstetrics -- Study and teaching.
- Gynecology.
Collection Series
Detailed Description of the Collection
Contains correspondence between Carter and colleague pertaining to engagements, research, recommendations, and patient cases. Also includes correspondence between Carter and Duke University administrators. Ordered alphabetically.
Contains subject files pertaining to research, leadership, and development of professional obstetrics and gynecology organizations. Ordered alphabetically and by date.
Contains notes of speeches and papers presented, memorial addresses for colleagues, and remarks giving during Carter's portrait dedication. Ordered by date.
Contains short writings reflecting Carter's professional interests.
Contains reports, budgets, correspondence, equipment lists, statistics, and some patient materials pertaining to administration and of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University. Ordered alphabetically by folder title.
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