Weller Van Hook: Difference between revisions

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== Early years ==
== 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.<ref> Chauncey C. Maher, ''A Man of Good Will'', Chicago Literary Club Papers Online Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [http://www.chilit.org/Papers%20by%20author/Maher%20C%20--%20A%20Man%20of%20Good%20Will.pdf]. See page 2. </ref>
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 Physicians 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 a 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.<ref> Chauncey C. Maher, ''A Man of Good Will'', Chicago Literary Club Papers Online Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [http://www.chilit.org/Papers%20by%20author/Maher%20C%20--%20A%20Man%20of%20Good%20Will.pdf]. See page 2-3. </ref>


== Medical career ==
== Medical career ==
Dr. Van Hook established a practice on the west side of Chicago from 1887 until 1894. In 1892, he became a professor in the principles of surgery at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and also taught at a hospital. In 1894, he gave up his practice and spend some time engaged in postgraduate study of surgery in Vienna, Berlin, London, and Paris.<ref> Maher, page 3-4.</ref>


Northwestern Medical School lists Dr. Van Hook as Professor of Surgery 1896-1908, and chairman of the Department of Surgery 1899-1908.<ref>Leslie B. Arey, Appendix to ''Northwestern University Medical School 1859-1979,'' Galter Health Sciences Library Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [http://www.galter.northwestern.edu/Digital-Projects/arey/AreyAppendix.pdf]. See pages 537 and 544.</ref>
Northwestern Medical School lists Dr. Van Hook as Professor of Surgery 1896-1908, and chairman of the Department of Surgery 1899-1908.<ref>Leslie B. Arey, Appendix to ''Northwestern University Medical School 1859-1979,'' Galter Health Sciences Library Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [http://www.galter.northwestern.edu/Digital-Projects/arey/AreyAppendix.pdf]. See pages 537 and 544.</ref>
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the economic and pedantic exploitation of the splendid foundation
the economic and pedantic exploitation of the splendid foundation
laid so patiently and devotedly by <nowiki>[early founders]</nowiki>,"<ref>Leslie B. Arey, ''Northwestern University Medical School 1859-1979,'' Galter Health Sciences Library Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [http://www.galter.northwestern.edu/Digitized-Projects/arey.pdf]. See page 159.</ref>
laid so patiently and devotedly by <nowiki>[early founders]</nowiki>,"<ref>Leslie B. Arey, ''Northwestern University Medical School 1859-1979,'' Galter Health Sciences Library Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [http://www.galter.northwestern.edu/Digitized-Projects/arey.pdf]. See page 159.</ref>
== Family life ==
On June 16th, 1892, Dr. Van Hook married another physician, Anna C. Whaley of St. Louis. She was a student of his friend and colleague Dr. James B. Herrick..<ref> Maher, page 4.</ref>


== Theosophical work ==
== Theosophical work ==

Revision as of 18:57, 9 April 2012


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 Physicians 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 a 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

Dr. Van Hook established a practice on the west side of Chicago from 1887 until 1894. In 1892, he became a professor in the principles of surgery at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and also taught at a hospital. In 1894, he gave up his practice and spend some time engaged in postgraduate study of surgery in Vienna, Berlin, London, and Paris.[2]

Northwestern Medical School lists Dr. Van Hook as Professor of Surgery 1896-1908, and chairman of the Department of Surgery 1899-1908.[3]

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],"[4]


Family life

On June 16th, 1892, Dr. Van Hook married another physician, Anna C. Whaley of St. Louis. She was a student of his friend and colleague Dr. James B. Herrick..[5]


Theosophical work

Years as President of American Theosophical Society

Writings

Later years

Notes

  1. Chauncey C. Maher, A Man of Good Will, Chicago Literary Club Papers Online Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [1]. See page 2-3.
  2. Maher, page 3-4.
  3. 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.
  4. Leslie B. Arey, Northwestern University Medical School 1859-1979, Galter Health Sciences Library Web page accessed April 9, 2012 at [3]. See page 159.
  5. Maher, page 4.