Weller Van Hook
Dr. Weller Van Hook was a prominent and innovative surgeon in Chicago, and served for five years as the President (General Secretary) of the American Theosophical Society.
Early years
The Van Hook family descended from a Burgomeister General of Holland. His descendants emigrated to New Amsterdam (now New York City), and later settled in Indiana. Weller Van Hook was born on May 14, 1862 in Greensville, Indiana, where his father was a physician. In 1881 he began a course of study at the University of Michigan, and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in 1884. After a year at the College of Physcians and Surgeons in Chicago, he graduated in 1885. From July 1885 through December 1886 he interned at the Cook County Hospital. When a peaceful labor demonstration turned into the Haymarket riot of May 4, 1886, Dr. Van Hook admitted adn injured policeman, Mathias J. Degan,to the hospital. The doctor helped to perform the post-mortem examination that provided important evidence used in prosecuting eight anarchists.[1]
Medical career
Northwestern Medical School lists Dr. Van Hook as Professor of Surgery 1896-1908, and chairman of the Department of Surgery 1899-1908.[2]
When he joined the medical faculty in 1896, the school had been making admission requirements more rigorous, but soon that academic objective came into conflict with the administration's desire to increase matriculation, which exceeded 600 in 1902-1903, compared to 321 in 1895-1896. Bayard Holmes wrote: "Van Hook went to Northwestern [in 1896] where his enthusiasm was slowly drowned out by the economic and pedantic exploitation of the splendid foundation laid so patiently and devotedly by [early founders],"[3]
Theosophical work
Years as President of American Theosophical Society
Writings
Later years
Notes
- ↑ Chauncey C. Maher, A Man of Good Will, Chicago Literary Club Papers Online Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [1]. See page 2.
- ↑ Leslie B. Arey, Appendix to Northwestern University Medical School 1859-1979, Galter Health Sciences Library Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [2]. See pages 537 and 544.
- ↑ Leslie B. Arey, Northwestern University Medical School 1859-1979, Galter Health Sciences Library Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [3]. See page 159.