A Guide to the Robert B. Carper papers, 1820-1862 83.Jun.09
A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Accession number 83.Jun.09
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VCU Health Sciences Library
Special Collections and Archives 509 N 12th StBox 980582
Richmond, Virginia 23298
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Jody Romero
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
No restrictions on use.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access.
Preferred Citation
Robert B. Carper Collection, Accession #83/Jun/09, Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Dr. William Bean from his family files.
Biographical / Historical
Robert Benjamin Carper was born in Greenbrier, Virginia (now West Virginia) on 23 November 1836. The second of seven children, Carper graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1861. As a doctor he could have joined the Army as an officer, but he refused a commission. Instead, he joined the 11th Virginia Volunteers, known as the Fincastle Rifles, as an infantryman to be with his two brothers. After a one year enlistment, and in poor health, he reenlisted to stay with his brothers. Carper was injured in the Battle of Williamsburg on 5 May, 1862 and was sent to a hospital in Williamsburg where he died two weeks later on 19 May. He is buried in Williamsburg with his mother's family.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes items related to Carper's time as a student at the Medical College of Virginia, a daguerreotype of Carper, and a lock of his hair.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Carper, Robert B. (Robert Benjamin), 1836-1862 -- Archives
- Confederate States of America. Army. Virginia Infantry Regiment, 11th
- Medical College of Virginia -- Alumni and alumnae -- Archives
- Soldiers -- Archives -- Confederate States of America
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Carper, Robert B. (Robert Benjamin), 1836-1862
- Carper, Robert B. (Robert Benjamin), 1836-1862 -- Archives
Container List
Consists of two books: Military Laws , By C. W. Gooch, 1820. There is a stamp of "B. Carper" on the front page. This book was a compilation of military laws, military medical and general knowledge involving the US Army of that time period. Printed by the Adjunct General's Office of Virginia.
A Pocket Formulary and Physician's Manual , by Thomas S. Powell, MD, 1855. The book has markings in the section on medical ethics. It is an example of books at this time for field medical reference. It contains recipes and instructions.
This series contains a daguerreotype of Robert Carper in a wooden sided, bronze framed picture box. It has a bronze clasp and detailed woodworking on the box. There are also two photographs of the daguerreotype.
Students purchased tickets to attend a professor's lectures as this was the common practice at medical schools in the 19th century. Each ticket admits Robert Carper to the lecture and is signed on the back by the instructor. The tickets include:
Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children, Dr James H. Conway, Professor, Session 1859/60 and Session 1860/61
Surgery and Surgical Anatomy, Dr. Charles Bell Gordon, Professor, Session 1859/60
Institutes of Medicine, Dr. L.S. Joynes, Professor, Session 1860/61
This notebook contains lecture notes written by Carper during his time at MCV. There is a passage commenting on exodus of southern medical students from Philadelphia in the wake of John Brown's execution in December 1859. It also includes family obituaries, pressed flowers, mementos, and notes written by Carper's brother and other family members after Carper's death.