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University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library

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Address:

1150 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113, USA
bentley.ref@umich.edu

Frederick G. Novy Papers, 1890-1954

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Summary

Creator:
Novy, Frederick G., 1864-1957
Abstract:
University of Michigan microbiologist; correspondence, student notebooks, San Francisco Plague Commission records, research files and laboratory notebooks, visual materials
Extent:
13 linear feet
1 oversize folder
Language:
English.
Call Number:
852257 Aa/2 UAm
Authors:
Finding aid prepared by: Thomas E. Powers

Background

Scope and Content:

The Frederick G. Novy collection documents the career and research interests of this noted bacteriologist, including information from the period of time when he was a member of the San Francisco Plague Commission (1901).

The collection has been divided into the following series:

  1. Biographical/Personal
  2. Correspondence
  3. University of Michigan Student Notebooks
  4. University of Michigan Medical School
  5. San Francisco Plague Commission
  6. Research Files/Laboratory Notebooks
  7. Reprints and Writings
  8. Miscellaneous; and Visual Materials.
Biographical / Historical:

Frederick G. Novy was a respected bacteriologist at the University of Michigan, serving as director of the Hygienic Laboratory and Dean of the Medical School.

Novy was born December 9, 1864 in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Michigan in 1886. In 1887, he accepted a position as instructor in the department of organic chemistry and published on the subject of bacteriological chemistry. In 1888, he and his department head Victor C. Vaughan went to Berlin to study under Robert Koch at his Hygiene Institute. Upon his return, he began teaching a course in bacteriology and began developing techniques for the cultivation of pathogenic bacteria. Novy at this time undertook additional educational training, receiving his Sc.D. in 1890 and his M.D. in 1891. In 1894, he studied at the Pathological Institute in Prague and in 1897, he worked at the Pasteur Institute in Paris.

With his research and study, Novy was becoming recognized for his work in bacteriology and communicable diseases. In 1901, he agreed to served on a commission established to study an outbreak of what some considered to be bubonic plague in San Francisco. Through his writings and speeches, Novy was attempting to educate the public on the role of bacteria in the spread of disease. In his research, Novy concentrated on trypanosomes and spirochetes and later in his career on the study of the metabolism of microorganisms, particularly the tubercle bacillus.

Although his career was largely devoted to research, Novy also was an important member of the University of Michigan Medical School serving as chairman of the executive committee from 1930 to 1933 and dean from 1933 to 1935. He died August 8, 1957.

Acquisition Information:
The collection came from different sources. In 1947 Frederick G. Novy donated his student notebooks to the library. Donor no. 291 The University of Michigan Department of Microbiology in 1970 and 1988 transferred its files of Novy materials to the library. Donor no. 4846 Other family members have also made additions.

Subjects

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Subjects:
Bacteria.
Epidemics.
Fever.
Medicine -- Study and teaching -- Michigan.
Physicians -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.
Sanitation.
Yellow fever.
Camping -- 1907.
Dwellings -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.
Hotels and taverns -- Michigan -- Mackinac Island.
Laboratories.
Photography.
Scientific equipment.
Sculpture.
Travel.
Formats:
Albums.
Cyanotypes.
Drawings.
Photographs.
Names:
University of Michigan. Dept. of Chemistry.
University of Michigan. Dept. of Geology.
University of Michigan. Dept. of Physics.
University of Michigan -- Faculty.
University of Michigan. Hygienic Laboratory.
University of Michigan. Medical School.
University of Michigan. Pasteur Institute.
University of Michigan -- Student notebooks.
Astor House (Mackinac Island, Mich.)
Smith House (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
University of Michigan -- Alumni and alumnae.
University of Michigan. Dept. of Medicine and Surgery. Class of 1886.
University of Michigan. Dept. of Medicine and Surgery. Class of 1891.
University of Michigan. Dept. of Medicine and Surgery. Class of 1906.
University of Michigan. Dept. of Medicine and Surgery. Class of 1912.
University of Michigan. Medical School -- Faculty.
Novy family.
Novy, Frederick George, 1864-1957.
Pettee, William Henry, 1838-1904.
Prescott, A. B. (Albert Benjamin), 1832-1905.
Sewall, Henry, 1855-1936.
Winchell, Alexander, 1824-1891.
Ashford, Bailey K. (Bailey Kelly), 1873-1934.
Behrens, Charles August, 1885-1950.
Breakey, William Fleming, 1835-1915.
Bruce, David, 1855-1931.
Calmette, Gaston, 1858-1914.
De Kruif, Paul, 1890-1971.
Ehrlich, Paul, 1854-1915.
Fraenkel, Karl, 1861-1916.
Greene, Albert Emerson.
Johnson, Otis C. (Otis Coe), 1839-1912.
Jordan, Edwin Oakes, 1866-1936.
Kahn, Reuben L. (Reuben Leon), 1887-1979.
Koch, Robert, 1843-1910.
Langley, John Williams, 1841-1918.
McKinley, Earl Baldwin, 1894-1938.
Marshall, Charles Edward, 1866-1927.
Nicolle, Charles, 1866-1936.
Norris, Charles, 1867-1935.
Nuttall, George Henry Falkiner, 1862-1937.
Osler, William, Sir, 1849-1919.
Reed, Walter, 1851-1902.
Rich, John Treadway, 1841-1926.
Ricketts, Howard Taylor, 1871-1910.
Ross, Ronald, Sir, 1857-1932.
Roux, Pierre Paul Emile, 1853-1933.
Schaudinn, Fritz, 1871-1906.
Smith, Theobald, 1859-1934.
Vaughan, Victor C. (Victor Clarence), 1851-1929.
Welch, William Henry, 1850-1934.
Places:
Ann Arbor (Mich.) -- Dwellings.
Ann Arbor (Mich.) -- Streets.
England.
France.
Germany.
Les Cheneaux Islands (Mich.)
Liberty Street (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Mackinac Island (Mich.) -- Hotels and taverns.
Mackinac Island (Mich.)
Mackinac Island (Mich.)
Sault Sainte Marie (Mich.)
Streets -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The collection is open for research.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to the Regents of the University of Michigan but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.

PREFERRED CITATION:

item, folder title, box no., Frederick G. Novy Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

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Collection

Frederick G. Novy Papers, 1890-1954
Call Number 852257 Aa/2 UAm
Total components 69
Last indexed 2023-12-08