Greg Howell collection on Harry J. Sears, 1919-2002

Overview of the Collection

Title
Greg Howell collection on Harry J. Sears
Dates
1919-2002 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.25 linear feet
Collection Number
2008-026
Summary
A small collection throwing some light on the personal life of Dr. Harry J. Sears.
Repository
Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. MC:LIB
Portland, OR
97239
Telephone: 5034945587
hcaref@ohsu.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions on access. The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Until his retirement in 1956, Harry J. Sears was first chair and professor in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Oregon Medical School. He was the only bacteriologist in the State when he arrived in Portland from Berkeley, California. He began as professor for the medical school when it was still located at 23rd and Lovejoy Streets in 1919, where he organized its first department of bacteriology. He was among the first small contingent of faculty at the school where he was an instructor in both bacteriology and chemistry. It was said that, "He was one of our great pioneers." He authored and published 30 professional papers. In his early days, he was among the people who sought to find the causes and treatments for influenza, typhoid, paratyphoid and diphtheria. He also helped to establish the state civil service merit system of examinations and was first director of the merit system. Dr. Sears was born in Daviess County, Missouri,where he attended a one room grade school. He received a B.A. in 1911, and an M.A. in 1912, both from Stanford University. He stayed on to obtain a Ph.D. in 1916. He spent 2 ½ years as the director of the Berkeley, California, City Health Laboratory before he came to Portland. He paid for his education cleaning bricks from the earthquake- damaged buildings on campus, washing dishes and working on a railroad construction crew. He married Huldah Meyer of Palo Alto, California, with whom he had two daughters, Elizabeth and Joan; and two sons, Thomas and David.

His daughter Elizabeth Sears Hall (b. June 1,1918) set down her short biography in 2002, and it is included in the collection. Greg Howell, the donor, is the grandson of Sear's eldest daughter Elizabeth.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of personal correspondence from Dr. Sears to his father and an autobiography by his daughter Elizabeth.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Preferred Citation

Greg Howell collection on Harry J. Sears, Collection Number # 2009-011, Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This small collection is in 1 file folder inside of one thin document box.

Acquisition Information

Greg Howell, great grandson to Harry and Huldah Sears has been sending these materials to HC&A. We are archiving the electronic files and printing them to include in the collection (2008).

Related Materials

2005-009 Harry J. Sears Papers; 2006-011 Harry J. Sears Lantern Slide Collection; 2008-018 Harry J. Sears Papers

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 Letter of Dr. Sears to his father
1920 November 8
1 1 "A Short Story of a Long Life" by Elizabeth Sears Hall
2002 June

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Sears, Harry J., 1895-1962

Corporate Names

  • University of Oregon. Medical School

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence

Occupations

  • Universities and colleges--Faculty