Guide to the Walter Kempner Papers and Records, Circa 1930-2016 (MC.0038)
Abstract
Contains professional records pertaining to Walter Kempner's (1903-1997) Rice Diet and related work for Duke University. Kempner began working at Duke's School of Medicine in the Department of Medicine in 1934 and was interested in the effect of diet on various diseases including hypertension and diabetes, which developed into the Rice Diet. The collection also contains business records from the Walter Kemper Foundation. Types of materials include medical records, newsletters, correspondence, clippings, budgets, logbooks, membership materials, and minutes. Major subjects include reducing diets, cell physiology, obesity, and Duke University Medical Center. Materials range in date from circa 1930 to 2016.
Descriptive Summary
- Call Number
- MC.0038
- Title
- Walter Kempner Papers and Records
- Date
- circa 1930-2016
- Creator
- Kempner, Walter
- Extent
- 450.6 Linear Feet (284 cartons, 1 manuscript box, 4 lantern slide boxes, 25 card boxes, 10 flat boxes, 7 map folders) and 2 artifacts
- Repository
- Duke University Medical Center Archives
Series Quick Links
- Early Correspondence, 1930-1950
- Later Correspondence, 1950-1980
- Kempner Foundation Membership, undated
- Kempner Foundation Financial Papers (1), 1951-1991
- Kempner Foundation Financial Papers (2), 1949-1991
- Daily Reminder Books, 1948-1992
- Medical Tests, undated
- Patient Lists, 1970-1981
- Miscellaneous, undated
- Patient Files, Older (Yellow Charts), undated
- Patient Files, Newer (Yellow Charts), undated
- Deceased Patients, Newer (Yellow Files), undated
- Publications, 1940-2002
- Patient Index Cards, undated
- Exhibit: American Medical Association and Other Materials, 1940-1968
- Accession A2008.029: Additions of May 2008, undated
- Accession A2010.038: Additions of July 2010, undated
- Barbara Newborg Research, undated
- Accession A2016.039: Additions of July 2016, 1974, 2016
Collection Overview
Contains the professional papers of Kemper, professor in Duke University's School of Medicine and founder of the Rice Diet. Types of materials include correspondence; Kempner Foundation Records; daily reminder and appointment books; patient lists, files, and index cards, American Medical Association exhibition materials; photographs, slides, and negatives, including images of patients eyes and full body photographs; research, charts, clippings, reprints, articles, x-rays and other materials collected by Kempner, Kempner's colleagues and staff, as well as materials from former Rice Dieters. Materials in the collection date from circa 1930 to 2016.
Arrangement Note
Organized into the following series and accessions: Early Correspondence, 1930-1950; Later Correspondence, 1950-1980; Kempner Foundation Membership, undated; Kempner Financial Papers (1), 1951-1991; Kempner Financial Papers (2), 1949-1991; Daily Reminder Books, 1948-1992; Medical Tests, undated; Patient Lists, 1970-1981; Miscellaneous, undated; Patient Files, Older (Yellow Charts), undated, Patient Files, Newer (Yellow Charts), undated; Deceased Patients, Newer (Yellow Files), undated; Publications, 1940-2002; Patient Index Cards, undated; Exhibit: American Medical Association and Other Materials,1940-1968; Accession A2008.029: Additions of May 2008, undated; Accession A2010.038: Additions of July 2010, undated; Barbara Newborg Research, undated; Accession A2016.039: Additions of August 2016, 1974-2016.
Material within this collection has been organized by accession reflecting the fact that the collection has been acquired in increments over time. Researchers should note that material within each accession overlaps with/or relates to material found in other accessions. In order to locate all relevant material within this collection, researchers will need to consult each accession described in the Series Scope and Contents section.
Researchers should also note that similar material can be arranged differently in each accession, depending on how the material was organized when it was received by the DUMCA.
Restrictions on Access & Use
Some collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 48 business hours in advance for retrieval.
Access Restrictions
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals or IRB approval may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Duke University assumes no responsibility.
Contains Medical Center Administrative records. These include records of the officers of the University, as defined in the Bylaws, the deans of schools and colleges, and departments, institutes, and other offices as designated by the President. For a period of twenty-five years from the origin of the material, permission in writing from the director of the office of record and the Medical Center Archivist is required for use. After twenty-five years, records that have been processed may be consulted with the permission of the Medical Center Archivist. (Issued by the Office of the Chancellor, December 1, 1975).
Collection must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before it can be accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Use 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.
1. Early Correspondence, 1930-1950
Series Scope and Contents: Contains professional correspondence between Kempner, other physicians, and patients. Materials are arranged alphabetically and date from 1930 to 1950.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Os-Th, Miscellaneous, 1930-1950
Box 12
2. Later Correspondence, 1950-1980
Series Scope and Contents: Contains professional correspondence between Kempner, other physicians, and patients. Materials are arranged alphabetically and date from 1950 to 1980.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
L-Le, Miscellaneous, 1950-1991
Box 24
3. Kempner Foundation Membership, undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains correspondence regarding membership and contributions to the Kempner Foundation. Materials are undated.
Memberships, form letters, contribution letters, A-Fu, undated
Box 40
Contribution Letters, Ga - Le, undated
Box 41
Contribution Letters, Li - Ro, undated
Box 42
Contribution Letters, Ru - Z, undated
Box 43
4. Kempner Foundation Financial Papers (1), 1951-1991
Series Scope and Contents: Contains meeting minutes, foundation constitution and bylaws, financial records, correspondence, and contribution logs. Materials date from 1951 to 1991.
Access Restrictions: All files in series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Articles of Incorporation Bylaws and Tax Letter, 1951
Box 44
Ray Contributors, 1951-1991
Box 44
MacMillan Contributors, 1951-1991
Box 44
Jerome Green Contributions to Kempner Foundation, 1951-1991
Box 44
Lab Fund, folder 2, 1987-1991
Box 44
Lab Fund, folder 1, 1987-1991
Box 44
BOT Minutes, folder 4, 1985-1988
Box 44
BOT Minutes, folder 3, 1985-1988
Box 44
BOT Minutes, folder 2, 1985-1988
Box 44
BOT Minutes, folder 1, 1985-1988
Box 44
Wachovia Charitable Funds Management, 1951-1991
Box 44
Quarterly Report Tax statement, 1951-1991
Box 44
Constitution and Bylaws for Kempner Foundation, 1951-1991
Box 44
Kennon and Kennon Tax Act, 1969
Box 44
Action by Trustees Without Meeting, 1972
Box 44
Action by Trustees, 1970-1971
Box 44
Kempner Foundation Legal Papers, 1951-1991
Box 44
Foundation Tax Returns, 1984-1990
Box 44
5. Kempner Foundation Financial Papers (2), 1949-1991
Series Scope and Contents: Contains meeting minutes, foundation constitution and bylaws, financial records, correspondence, articles, curriculum vitae, job announcements, annual reports, contribution lists, photographs, negatives, and bulletins. Materials date from 1949 to 1991.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Copyright of Bulletin of the Walter Kempner Foundation, 1949-1991
Box 45
Obesity Research (North American Association for the Study of Obesity), 1982
Box 45
Requests for Employment, Kempner Clinic, 1949-1991
Box 45
Sending Minutes, 1949-1991
Box 45
Reminder of Meeting, 1949-1991
Box 45
Other Programs, 1949-1991
Box 45
Problem of Wakefulness, master copy, 1949-1991
Box 45
Jobs, audiovisual, 1949-1991
Box 45
Requisitions; Reprint Requests; People who came to the Rice House, 1949-1991
Box 45
Heller Prudential Letter, 1949-1991
Box 45
International Business Machines, Inc., 1949-1991
Box 45
Kempner Symposium, 1949-1991
Box 45
Rice Houses, Contracts, 1949-1991
Box 45
Walter Kempner, bibliography, etc., 1949-1991
Box 45
WKF -- old stationery, 1949-1991
Box 45
Curriculum Vitae, RLP; WK; BN, 1949-1991
Box 46
W.K. Pubilcations: Curriculum Vitae, 1949-1991
Box 46
U.S. Postal Service, 1949-1991
Box 46
Van Itallie, Dr. Theodore, 1949-1991
Box 46
Buddy Taub correspondence, 1949-1991
Box 46
Kathryn McGenniss Fox will, 1949-1991
Box 46
Fuhrman, Murray, M.D. obituary and testimonial, 1949-1991
Box 46
Foundation Gifts, 1949-1991
Box 47
Transfer of Funds of WKF to Duke University thru, 1984
Box 47
Mr. Gary C. Cole; Ms. Teague; Mr. Bernardo, 1949-1991
Box 47
Miscellaneous Lab Fund, 1949-1991
Box 47
Teague, Ms. Joyce (Misc.) Wachovia Winston, 1949-1991
Box 47
Foundation (Adger-Receipt Acknowledge of Accounts), 1985-1987
Box 47
Financial Statement, 1949-1991
Box 47
Foundation Tax Returns, 1970-1979
Box 47
Information sent to Mr. Kennon for Internal Revenue Service, 1949-1991
Box 47
General Mills Foundation, 1974
Box 47
Tarantul Research Project, 1970
Box 47
MacMillan, Alley, Ball Resolutions, 1949-1991
Box 47
Please Remove from List, 1949-1991
Box 47
Fuhrman, Dr. Murray, 1949-1991
Box 47
Krasne, Mrs. Bernice, 1949-1991
Box 47
Schlayer, Dr. Clotilde, 1949-1991
Box 47
Schultz, Dr. H. S., 1949-1991
Box 47
Smith, Mr. Calvin, 1949-1991
Box 47
Wolff, Mr. John, 1949-1991
Box 47
Alley, Mr. Rayford W., 1949-1991
Box 47
Ball, Mr. Russell C., 1949-1991
Box 47
Brinton, Mr. Howard T., 1949-1991
Box 47
Gaffron, Dr. Hans, 1949-1991
Box 47
Madden, Mr. James L., 1949-1991
Box 47
Sauber, Mr. Julius, 1949-1991
Box 47
Van Syckle, Mr. Frank H., 1949-1991
Box 47
Werk, Mr. George B., 1949-1991
Box 47
Kempner Foundation, 1972-1979
Box 47
Kempner Foundation, 1980-1984
Box 48
MacMillan, John H., President, Kempner Foundation, 1949-1991
Box 48
John Price Jones Company, 1949-1991
Box 48
Gustavus and Louise Pfeifer Research Foundation, 1949-1991
Box 48
Kempner Foundation Board of Trustees, 1949-1991
Box 48
Foundation Board Meeting Photographs, 1950
Box 48
Trust Department, folder 1, 1949-1991
Box 48
Trust Department, folder 2, 1949-1991
Box 48
Trust Department, folder 3, 1949-1991
Box 48
Trust Department, folder 4, 1949-1991
Box 48
Trust Department, folder 5, 1949-1991
Box 48
Trust Department, folder 6, 1949-1991
Box 48
Mr. Cole-Wachovia; Winston Salem, 1949-1991
Box 48
Mr. Cary C. Cole, 1949-1991
Box 48
Ormston, Katherine, 1949-1991
Box 48
Bulletin Mailing List, 1949-1991
Box 48
Walter Kempner Foundation Minutes, 1949-1991
Box 48
Kempner Foundation, 1949-1962
Box 48
Kempner Foundation, 1963-1971
Box 49
Requests for Walter Kempner Foundation Bulletin, 1949-1991
Box 49
Request of Funds from Walter Kempner Foundation, 1949-1991
Box 49
Treasurer (Olin C. Peeler), Walter Kempner Foundation, 1949-1991
Box 49
Story of the Rice Diet, 1949-1991
Box 49
Miscellaneous W.K. Foundation, 1949-1991
Box 49
Dr. Kempner Talk to Board of Trustees, 1949-1991
Box 49
W.K. Foundation Bulletin, Cards, and Mailing List, 1949-1991
Box 49
Kempner Foundation, 1978-1986
Box 49
Kempner Foundation, 1959-1977
Box 50
Financial Statements, folder 1, 1986
Box 50
Financial Statements, folder 2, 1986
Box 50
Financial Statements, folder 3, 1986
Box 50
Wachovia Documentation, 1978
Box 50
Miscellaneous Documents, various dates
Box 50
Income Tax Statements, folder 1, 1949-1991
Box 51
Income Tax Statements, folder 2, 1949-1991
Box 51
Miscellaneous Financial Papers, 1949-1991
Box 51
6. Daily Reminder Books, 1948-1992
Series Scope and Contents: Contains bound daily calendars with annotations. Materials date from 1948 to 1992.
Daily Reminder Books, 1948-1972
Box 52
Daily Reminder Books, 1973-1992
Box 53
7. Medical Tests, undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains bound results of medical tests. Materials are undated.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Puromycin Studies, undated
Box 55
Experiment Records, undated
Box 56
Experiment Records, undated
Box 57
Medical Tests Records, undated
Box 58
Medical Tests Records, undated
Box 59
Medical Tests Records, undated
Box 60
Medical Tests Records, undated
Box 61
Medical Tests Records, undated
Box 62
Medical Tests Records, undated
Box 63
8. Patient Lists, 1970-1981
Series Scope and Contents: Contains lists of patients. Materials date from 1970 to 1981.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
9. Miscellaneous, undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains photographs of physicians and patient files that include correspondence and examination notes. Contains Materials are undated.
Access Restrictions: All files in box 67-68 must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Photos of Physicians, undated
Box 66
Geographical File, undated
Box 66
Patient files J-S, undated
Box 67
Patient files, N-S, undated
Box 68
10. Patient Files, Older (Yellow Charts), undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains patient charts. Materials are organized alphabetically and are undated.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
11. Patient Files, Newer (Yellow Charts), undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains patient charts. Materials are organized alphabetically and are undated.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
12. Deceased Patients, Newer (Yellow Files), undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains photographs and patient charts of deceased patients. Materials are organized alphabetically and are undated.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
13. Publications, 1940-2002
Series Scope and Contents: Contains bulletins for the Walter Kempner Foundation, reprints of articles by Kempner and other scholars, and publications. Materials date from 1940 to 2002.
Bulletin of the Walter Kempner Foundation, undated
Box 179
Secondary sources and reprints, 1940-2002
Box 179
14. Patient Index Cards, undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains index cards with patient information. Materials are undated.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Patient Index Cards, box 1, undated
Box 180
Patient Index Cards, box 2, undated
Box 181
Patient Index Cards, box 3, undated
Box 182
Patient Index Cards, box 4, undated
Box 183
Patient Index Cards, box 5, undated
Box 184
Patient Index Cards, box 6, undated
Box 185
Patient Index Cards, box 7, undated
Box 186
Patient Index Cards, box 8, undated
Box 187
Patient Index Cards, box 9, undated
Box 188
Patient Index Cards, box 10, undated
Box 189
Patient Index Cards, box 11, undated
Box 190
Patient Index Cards, box 12, undated
Box 191
Patient Index Cards, box 13, undated
Box 192
Patient Index Cards, box 14, undated
Box 193
Patient Index Cards, box 15, undated
Box 194
Patient Index Cards, box 16, undated
Box 195
Patient Index Cards, box 17, undated
Box 196
Patient Index Cards, box 18, undated
Box 197
Patient Index Cards, box 19, undated
Box 198
Patient Index Cards, box 20, undated
Box 199
Patient Index Cards, box 21, undated
Box 200
Patient Index Cards, box 22, undated
Box 201
Patient Index Cards, box 23, undated
Box 202
Patient Index Cards, box 24, undated
Box 203
Patient Index Cards, box 25, undated
Box 204
15. Exhibit: American Medical Association and Other Materials, 1940-1968
Series Scope and Contents: Materials relate to the planning and design of the 1944 exhibit about the Rice Diet at the American Medical Association meeting. Types of materials include notes, negatives, correspondence, abstracts, and exhibit displays. Materials date from 1940 to 1968.
Access Restrictions: Files in Box 205 must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Exhibit: American Medical Association, box 1, June 1944
Box 205
Exhibit: American Medical Association, box 2, June 1944
Box 206
Left Panel, part 1 of 3, June 1944
Box Map Folder 1
Left Panel, part 2 of 3, June 1944
Box Map Folder 2
Left Panel, part 3 of 3, June 1944
Box Artifact 1
Titles for Right Panel: 'No. 5, 2a & 2b Top'; 'No. 4 between Roebuck'; 'Eyes at bottom', June 1944
Box Artifact 2
Center of Center Panel, June 1944
Box Map Folder 5
Hands; Xanthomatosis, 1955-1956
Box Map Folder 6
Patients; Unidentified Patient, 1967-1968
Box Map Folder 6
Eyes; Right Macula, 1947-1948
Box Map Folder 6
Eyes; Left Macula, 1947-1948
Box Map Folder 6
Eyes; Right Disc, 1947-1948
Box Map Folder 6
Eyes; Left Disc, 1947-1948
Box Map Folder 6
Eyes; Untited eyes, 1943-1948
Box Map Folder 6
Charts and Graphs; E. L. J. Rice Diet Graph, undated
Box Map Folder 7
Charts and Graphs; Gradual Descrease in Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Vasular Disease Treated by Rice Diet, 1940-1960
Box Map Folder 7
Charts and Graphs; Cardiac Enlargement Chart, 1941-1944
Box Map Folder 7
Charts and Graphs; Sodium Amytal Test Chart, 1943-1944
Box Map Folder 7
Charts and Graphs; Untited Rice Diet Chart, 1941-1943
Box Map Folder 7
Charts and Graphs; Gradual Improvement (2 Year Period) of Hemorrhages and Exudates, Recanalization of Thrombosis, in Diabetes Mellitus Treated by Rice Diet, 1959-1961
Box Map Folder 7
Heart; Reduction in Heart Size by Rice Diet, 1946-1947
Box Map Folder 7
Design; Untiteld drawing in German, undated
Box Map Folder 7
16. Accession A2008.029: Additions of May 2008, undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains photographs, correspondence, appointment books, articles, index cards, articles, notebooks, lantern slides, charts, print blocks, slides, and articles. Materials are undated.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Patient Photos, box 1, undated
Box 213
Patient Photos, box 2, undated
Box 214
Patient Photos, box 3, undated
Box 215
Correspondence, box 1, undated
Box 216
Correspondence, box 2, undated
Box 217
Correspondence, box 3, undated
Box 218
Correspondence, box 4, undated
Box 219
Print Blocks, box 1, undated
Box 220
Print Blocks, box 2, undated
Box 221
Appointment Books, box 1, undated
Box 222
Appointment Books, box 2, undated
Box 223
Appointment Books, slides, box 3, undated
Box 224
Appointment Books, box 4, undated
Box 225
Lab info for articles, box 1, undated
Box 226
Lab info for articles, patient index cards, food book and food analysis, box 2, undated
Box 227
Notebooks, box 1, undated
Box 228
Lantern slides, box 1, undated
Box 229
Lantern slides, box 2, undated
Box 230
Lantern slides, box 3, undated
Box 231
Lantern slides, box 4, undated
Box 232
Lantern slides - Day 2 Box 1, undated
Box 233
Lantern slides - Day 2 Box 2, undated
Box 234
Lantern slides - Day 2 Box 3, undated
Box 235
Eye Ground, box 1, undated
Box 236
Eye Ground, box 2, undated
Box 237
Eye Ground, box 3, undated
Box 238
Eye Ground, box 4, undated
Box 239
Eye Ground, box 5, undated
Box 240
Eye Ground, box 6, undated
Box 241
Eye Ground, box 7, undated
Box 242
Eye Ground, box 8, undated
Box 243
Eye Ground, box 9, undated
Box 244
Eye Ground, box 10, undated
Box 245
Eye Ground, box 11, undated
Box 246
Eye Ground, box 12, undated
Box 247
Eye Ground, box 13, undated
Box 248
Eye Ground, box 14, undated
Box 249
Eye Ground, box 15, undated
Box 250
Eye Ground, box 16, undated
Box 251
Eye Ground, box 17, undated
Box 252
Eye Ground, box 18, undated
Box 253
Eye Ground, box 19, undated
Box 254
Eye Ground, box 20, undated
Box 255
Eye Ground, box 21, undated
Box 256
Eye Ground, box 22, undated
Box 257
Eye Ground, box 23, undated
Box 258
Eye Ground, box 24, undated
Box 259
Eye Ground, box 25, undated
Box 260
Eye Ground, box 26, undated
Box 261
Eye Ground, box 27, undated
Box 262
Eye Ground, box 28, undated
Box 263
Eye Ground, box 29, undated
Box 264
Eye Ground, box 30, undated
Box 265
Eye Ground, box 31, undated
Box 266
Eye Ground, box 32, undated
Box 267
Eye Ground Negatives - Kodak box, undated
Box 268
Oversize - Charts (poor condition), box 1, undated
Box 270
Oversize - Charts, box 2, undated
Box 271
Oversize - Charts, box 3, undated
Box 272
Oversize - Eye photos and charts, box 4, undated
Box 273
Oversize - Eye photos and charts, box 5, undated
Box 274
Wooden box - Slides, undated
Box 275
Patient Index Cards, undated
Box 276
Wooden box - Slides, undated
Box 277
Cardboard container (open) - Slides, undated
Box 278
Plastic container - Slides, undated
Box 279
Plastic tub - Certificate, books and journals, undated
Box 280
17. Accession A2010.038: Additions of July 2010, undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains correspondence, news clippings, photographs, articles, charts, negatives, x-rays, glass slides, reference files, and notebooks. Materials are undated.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Correspondence, Clippings, undated
Box 281
Eye photos (alphabetical), undated
Box 282
Reprints (Kempner, Newborg and others), undated
Box 283
Correspondence, clippings and reprints, undated
Box 284
Eye photos, 'contributions'-financial, undated
Box 285
Photos, EKG charts, negatives & x-rays, undated
Box 287
Correspondence, Kempner reprints, undated
Box 288
Reprints, journal articles (some Kempner), undated
Box 289
Photos and glass slides, undated
Box 290
Correspondence, clippings, undated
Box 292
Reprints, index cards with jounral title-info, undated
Box 293
Correpsondence-misc. files (bulk re: USPHS), undated
Box 296
Misc. correspondence and articles, undated
Box 297
Correspondence, reprints, general files (alphabetical), undated
Box 298
Clippings (2 binders), financial papers, bulletins and reprints, undated
Box 300
Clippings, reprints, correspondence (alphabetical), undated
Box 301
Correspondence (alphabetical), undated
Box 302
Correspondence, reprints, undated
Box 303
Misc. correspondence, business files, undated
Box 304
Articles, correspondence, general files (alphabetical), undated
Box 305
Correspondence, older articles (1930s), undated
Box 306
Clippings, article, general files, undated
Box 307
General correspondence and correspondence re: treatment, reprints, undated
Box 308
Correspondence and reprints, undated
Box 309
Glass plates (15 sealed packages), undated
Box 310
Notebooks-ledgers, oversize graph printouts, undated
Box 311
Binders of clippings (sleeved), undated
Box 312
Photos, glass plates (packaged), photo CDs, undated
Box 313
Correspondence, articles, misc. papers re: rice diet, undated
Box 314
Misc. correspondence, undated
Box 315
Magazine articles re: rice diet, undated
Box 316
Photos, X-rays and charts, undated
Box 318
Clippings, articles, undated
Box 319
Correspondence, articles, Kempner bulletins, undated
Box 320
Magainze Articles, re: Rice Diet, undated
Box 321
Oversize: Heart & Lung photographs, undated
Box 322
Oversize: Full body photographs, undated
Box 323
Oversize: Miscellaneous Photographs & Charts, undated
Box 324
18. Barbara Newborg Research, undated
Series Scope and Contents: Contains notebooks and patient treatment logs. Materials are undated
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
Treatment Recordings, undated
Box 208
Laboratory Notebooks, undated
Box 209
19. Accession A2016.039: Additions of July 2016, 1974, 2016
Series Scope and Contents: Includes a letter from a former Rice Diet patient with an inventory of items donated, photographs of individuals participating in the Rice Diet, as well as other people and locations (photographs are identified in the donor's letter); the Rice Diet menu and general instructions; and a YMCA postcard where many of the participants in the Rice Diet exercised. The bulk of the materials are from 1974. The letter is dated 2016.
Access Restrictions: All files in the series must be screened for sensitive or confidential materials before being accessed. For further information consult with the Medical Center Archivist.
[Patient Information Removed], 1974, 2016
Box 321
Biographical Note
Walter Kempner was born in 1903 to Dr. Lydia Rabinowitsch Kempner (1871-1935) and Dr. Walter Kempner (1864-1920) in Germany. Both of his parents were prominent researchers in the field of bacteriology. Rabinowitsch's research focused on tuberculosis and public health and Kempner Sr. helped develop the first antitoxin for botulism.
Kempner graduated from the University of Heidelberg Medical School in 1926. From 1926 to 1927, Kempner interned at the Heidelberg Medical Clinic under Dr. Krehl. Following his internship, Kempner moved to Berlin to work for Otto Warburg at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Cellular Physiology. From 1928 to 1933, Kempnner served as an assistant to Gustav von Bergmann at the Charite Hospital in Berlin. In 1933, Kempner briefly returned to work at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Cellular Physiology following his dismissal from the Charite Hospital due to the Nazi's "Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service."
Kempner immigrated to the United States in 1934 to become a member of the Department of Medicine at Duke University. Kempner was interested in the effect of diet on various diseases including hypertension and diabetes. Observing that those diseases were relatively rare where rice was a staple food, Kempner came up with a formula of rice, fruit, juices, and vitamins that became the basis of the Rice Diet. Kempner tracked the effectiveness of the Rice Diet through eye-ground tests. These scans of the vessels of the retina revealed overall health, including hypertension. Since the 1930s, Kempner and his associates used the Rice Diet to treat more than 18,000 patients from all around the world.
Kempner retired from Duke University in 1974 and from the Rice Diet program in 1994. In 2002, the Rice Diet center became independent of Duke University. In 2013, the Rice Diet center closed, and later that year John Aycoth opened the Rice House Healthcare Program to carry on the legacy of Kempner's Rice Diet.
Kempner died in 1997 at the age of 93.
Subject Headings
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Walter Kempner Papers and Records, Duke University Medical Center Archives.
Acquisitions Information
Accession A2003.013 (gift, May 2003); Accession A2003.014 (gift, April 2003); Accession A2007.044 (gift, April 2007); Accession A2007.103 (gift, December 2007); Accession A2008.029 (transferred, May 2008); Accession A2010.038 (gift, July 2010); Accession A2010.065 (gift, November 2010); Accession A2011.077 (transferred, October 2011); Accession A2016.039 (gift of Susan Roberts, August 2010)
Not all accession information was recorded from 1977 to 2002.
Processing Information
Processed by Archives staff: 1997; encoded by Emily Glenn: September 2004; updated by Lucy Waldrop: August 2016
