Dr. Herbert Acuff Scrapbook
This collection consists primarily of a scrapbook of congratulatory letters sent to Dr. Herbert Acuff upon his election as president of the International College of Surgeons in 1948. Also included are loose items, including letters, academic articles, and clippings, that were found inserted in the front of the scrapbook; these items date between 1948 and 1955.
Dates
- 1948-1955
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (4 folders)
Abstract
This collection consists primarily of a scrapbook of congratulatory letters sent to Dr. Herbert Acuff upon his election as president of the International College of Surgeons in 1948. Also included are loose items, including letters, academic articles, and clippings, that were found inserted in the front of the scrapbook; these items date between 1948 and 1955.
Biographical/Historical Note
Born in Washburn, Tennessee, Dr. Herbert Acuff was a graduate of Carson-Newman College. In 1911 he received his M.D. from the University of Louisville. Following his service as an officer in the Medical Corps in World War I, Acuff settled in Knoxville where, in the early 1920s, he served as president of the Civitan Club and the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. Acuff worked at Knoxville General Hospital and Ft. Sanders Hospital and served as head of the medical staff of St. Mary's Hospital. He was also district surgeon for Southern Railway. In 1947, Acuff established his own clinic in Knoxville.
Acuff was a former head of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine. He was also active in the American Cancer Society, the East Tennessee Automobile Association, the World Medical Association, and the Kerbela Temple Shrine. He also was a leader in the movement to establish a hospital and medical research center on the University of Tennessee campus.
In 1945, Acuff was elected president of the United States Chapter of the International College of Surgeons. In 1948, he became head of the world organization, a position he held until his death. As leader of the International College of Surgeons, Acuff was instrumental in the founding of the International College library in Chicago.
Acuff died of a heart attack on November 2, 1951. The 1953 annual meeting of the Southeastern Section of the International College of Surgeons, which was held in Knoxville, was dedicated to Acuff's memory.
Arrangement
Collection consists of four folders. The scrapbook was unbound for preservation purposes but items remain in their original order.
Acquisition Note
This collection was donated to Special Collections in October 1994.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository