Edward Staunton West collection, 1959-2017

Overview of the Collection

Dnr
Raines, J. Richard (James Richard), 1911-2006
Title
Edward Staunton West collection
Dates
1959-2017 (inclusive)
Quantity
.33 linear feet
Collection Number
2017-004
Summary
Edward Staunton West served as chair of the Department of Biochemistry at University of Oregon Medical School for 32 years before retiring. He was instrumental in establishing the Primate Center and served as a consultant for the Army and Navy during World War II. This collection consists of a portrait, photographic slides, an interview on cassette, and an article on West.
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. This collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Edward Staunton West, born in Stuart, Virginia on September 9, 1896, received his undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon University in Virginia, an M.S. from Kansas State College, and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1923. West later became a professor with the Department of Biochemistry at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1934 he accepted an offer to chair the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oregon Medical School (UOMS) in Portland, Oregon. Shortly after his arrival at UOMS, he became Chairman of the Admissions Committee. Dr. West fathered the Primate Center (the first in the nation) with Dr. Donald Pickering.

During WWII, Edward was a consultant to the Army and Navy for premedical training programs and served as Director of Research for the U.S. Quartermaster Corps. Continuing his studies, West took basic courses in radioisotopes at the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies in 1948 and coauthored a biochemistry textbook with Dr. Wilbert Todd that was considered to be the most outstanding in the field. He retired in 1966 at the age of 70 after 32 years at UOMS. After retirement, he began working as an assistant to the Primate Center Director, Dr. William Mantagna, and continued to serve as senior advisor to the UOMS Admissions Committee. As one of his favorite diversions, he initiated the noontime horseshoe tournaments at UOMS and was an avid outdoorsman.

He was married to Ruth Hurd West (1894-1969), who preceded him in death. After Ruth passed, he married Ruth's first cousin, Muriel Jennings Schori, in 1969. Muriel passed way in 1985. Dr. West died several years later in 1988.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Edward Staunton West collection houses materials detailing the life of Edward Staunton West. This collection, which dates from 1959 to 2017, consists of a portrait, an interview on cassette, an article, and photographic slides used in a tribute at his memorial service. While small, this collection evidences the reflections of West's coworkers and colleagues as well as his own personal recollections on his life.

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

Edward Staunton West collection, Collection Number 2014-017, Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 Interview with Edward Staunton West on cassette tape undated
1 2 Article on Edward Staunton West by Denise Urbanski 2017
1 3 Photographic slides from memorial service 1959, undated
1 4 Portrait of Edward Staunton West 1962

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Biochemistry

Personal Names

  • West, Edward Staunton

Geographical Names

  • Oregon

Form or Genre Terms

  • portraits

Occupations

  • Physicians

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Dotter, Charles T. (art)