Guide to the Edwin J. De Costa (1906-1995) Papers
| Collection Title: | Edwin J. De Costa (1906-1995) Papers |
| Dates: | 1925-1987 |
| Bulk Dates: | 1925-1960s |
| Identification: | 18/3/9/1 |
| Creator: | De Costa, Edwin J., 1906-1995 |
| Extent: | 3 Boxes |
| Language of Materials: | English |
| Abstract: | De Costa came to Northwestern as a clinical assistant in 1946, eventually becoming a full professor in 1964. H retired in 1974 and died in 1995. The Edwin J. De Costa Papers fill three boxes and span the period, 1925-1987. Most of the material dates from 1925 through the 1960s; only a small amount of material dates afterward. The De Costa Papers are arranged into five categories: biographical materials, undergraduate and medical college files, teaching files, speeches and paper presentations, and publications. Two folders of correspondence and two folders of materials related to the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Central Travel Club of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are also included. |
| Acquisition Information: | The Edwin J. De Costa Papers were donated to the University Archives by Dr. Edwin J. De Costa on 10 January 1988 (Accession #88-10). |
| Processing Information: | William K. Beatty; February-March, 1989. |
| Separated Materials: | Three black and white photographs were transferred to the University Archives photograph collection. Approximately eight inches of duplicate material and a small amount of extraneous material were discarded. |
| Conditions Governing Access: | Box 1 Folder 4, clinical and operative notes; Folder 8, medical account book; and Folder 9, notes on medical matters and individuals are not accessible unless the permission of Edwin J. De Costa or the University Archivist is granted. |
| Repository: | Northwestern University Archives Deering Library, Room 110 1970 Campus Dr. Evanston, IL, 60208-2300 URL: http://www.library.northwestern.edu/archives Email: archives@northwestern.edu Phone: 847-491-3354 |
Biographical/Historical Information
Edwin J. De Costa, obstetrician and gynecologist, was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 25, 1906. He earned his B.S. degree at the University of Chicago in 1926 and his M.D. from Rush Medical College in 1929. De Costa fulfilled the requirements of his medical internship at Cook County Hospital, 1929-1930. De Costa came to Northwestern as a clinical assistant in 1946, eventually becoming a full professor in 1964. H retired in 1974 and died in 1995.
De Costa's medical residencies include the Cook County Hospital, obstetrics, 1930-1931 and pathology, 1931-1332 and the Michael Reese Hospital, obstetrics and gynecology, 1932-1933. Alter completing his residency De Costa taught at Rush Medical College as an associate in gynecology, 1935-1942. De Costa also served as a Captain in the United States Navy, November, 1940-January, 1946.
In 1946 De Costa came to the Northwestern University Medical School as a clinical assistant in obstetrics and gynecology. He was promoted to instructor (1948), associate (1949), assistant professor (1950), associate professor (1956), and professor (1964), all in obstetrics and gynecology. He became professor emeritus in 1974.
De Costa was active in many gynecological, obstetrical, surgical, and medical societies, serving as president of the Chicago Gynecological Society (1960-1961), as president of the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1961), and as president of the Central Travel Club of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1962). De Costa also had research interests in endocrinology.
Dr. De Costa died January 28, 1995.
Scope and Content
The Edwin J. De Costa Papers fill three boxes and span the period, 1925-1987. Most of the material dates from 1925 through the 1960s; only a small amount of material dates afterward. The De Costa Papers are arranged into five categories: biographical materials, undergraduate and medical college files, teaching files, speeches and paper presentations, and publications. Two folders of correspondence and two folders of materials related to the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Central Travel Club of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are also included.
The biographical materials include curricula vitae, bibliographies, an appointment book, newspaper clippings, and professional organizations' programs at which De Costa was scheduled to give a speech. Many of the clippings document De Costa's views on such matters as the oral contraceptive pill, the sexual revolution, abortion, and venereal diseases.
The undergraduate and medical college files include one folder of undergraduate notes, three folders of medical college notes, and one folder of miscellaneous notes, primarily related to numismatics.
The teaching files, comprised mostly of lecture notes, relate to the courses De Costa taught at Cook County Hospital, Passavant Memorial Hospital, and Northwestern University Medical School.
Copies of several papers De Costa presented before professional organizations from 1949 to 1966 are included.
The publications consist mainly of article reprints from medical journals authored by De Costa.
Arrangement of Materials
The De Costa Papers are arranged into five categories: biographical materials, undergraduate and medical college files, teaching files, speeches and paper presentations, and publications.
Subjects
Corporate Name
Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.). Medical School
Personal Name
Subjects
Gynecology--Study and teaching (Graduate)--United States
Obstetrics--Study and teaching (Graduate)--United States
