1929-01-28

Photocopy of Wilder Penfield's original carbon copy of his 1929 application to (Richard M. Pearce of) the Rockefeller Foundation (RF) for funding to build what would become the Montreal Neurological Institute. In the letter Penfield inquires as to whether he might set up an interview with Pearce while traveling to New York. Penfield reminds Pearce of the funding he received from the RF to visit neurology centers in Europe. He reports that since his trip he has been working in neuropathology laboratories at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in Montreal. Despite the good set up at the RVH, Penfield believes a more comprehensive plan is necessary to tackle the challenge of neurosurgery. He asserts that the RVH is a suitable institution to support a center specializing in neurosurgery and research. Penfield presents his initial thoughts on the building, laboratories, spaces for staff, accommodations for patients, offices, and special examination rooms. Penfield asserts the he has the "personnel now to begin such an undertaking" and has written in hopes that the Rockefeller Foundation would help fund the building and operation of such an institute.

text.typescript.black and white 27.8 x 21.5 cm

English

Penfield, Wilder Graves, 1891-1976 -- Correspondence.
Pearce, Richard Mills, 1874-1930 -- Correspondence.
Rockefeller Foundation.
Montreal Neurological Institute -- History.

Wilder Penfield Digital Collection

Wilder Penfield Fonds P142 -- Series A (Administration) -- Sub-Series A/N (Administration, Neuro)

Osler Library of the History of Medicine, McGill University

Letter from Wilder Penfield to Richard M. Pearce, January 28, 1929. [Online image]. Wilder Penfield Digital Collection Wilder Penfield Fonds P142 -- Series A (Administration) -- Sub-Series A/N (Administration, Neuro) . Osler Library of the History of Medicine, McGill University . Retrieved April 25, 2024 from http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/penfieldfonds/fullrecord.php?ID=9962

This material has been made available with the consent of the copyright holders and can be used in accordance with fair dealing provisions of Canadian copyright law. For more information, please contact the Osler Library of the History of Medicine.

Penfield, Wilder Graves, 1891-1976.

Handwritten note at at top of page 1: "First application - 36 beds 17 Laboratory rooms for Neuropath. no mention of endow't. no mention of neurophysiology, A centre for neurological thought which would serve the whole continent"...unhampered by the artificial division between medicine and surgery."

Typed at bottom left of page after the valediction: "WGP/HL".

There are at least two other records containing a version of this letter. All letters are titled "Letter From Wilder Penfield to Richard M. Pearce, January 28, 1929."

A/N 2-1