WILLIAM W. KEEN | TYPED LETTER SIGNED
1910. Three-page typed and signed letter from Keen to his daughter, Dora, concerning a Commencement the elder Keens gave, a vote from "the Corporation", the deaths of Goldwin Smith and a "Rev. Dr. Dana", the travels of his daughter Corinne, and his own real estate dealings. In Very Good condition, with creases along four-way fold. Toning to pages with three small spots of discoloration to both pages. Envelope in Very Good condition, with crease to top corners and closed tear from letter opener along top. Shelved at Rockville Room E (MW Box).
1410373
Special Collections - Upstairs
Price: $400
NOTES
William Williams Keen (1837–1932) was one of the most prominent American surgeons of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, widely regarded as a pioneer in modern brain surgery. Educated at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, he served as a Union Army surgeon during the American Civil War, an experience that helped shape his surgical expertise. Keen later became the first American surgeon to successfully remove a brain tumor (1887), placing him at the forefront of neurosurgery at a time when such procedures were extraordinarily risky. He was also a prolific medical author, educator, and advocate for scientific medicine, contributing to major surgical textbooks and helping professionalize American surgery. Beyond medicine, Keen was known for treating high-profile patients—including President Grover Cleveland—and for his involvement in civic and intellectual life, making him a central figure in the development of American medical practice during the Progressive Era.