Richards, Alfred N. (Alfred Newton), 1876-1966

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Alfred Newton Richards worked as a pharmacologist and medical administrator; he was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1935.

From the guide to the Survey of medical affairs, University of Pennsylvania, 1931, 1931, (American Philosophical Society)

Epithet: pharmacologist and nephrologist

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000977.0x000113

Alfred Newton Richards was a pharmacologist and medical administrator. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1935.

From the description of Survey of medical affairs, University of Pennsylvania, 1931. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 173466198

Alfred Newton Richards was born on March 22, 1876 in Stamford, New York to Reverend Leonard E. Richards and Mary Elizabeth Burbank Richards. He attended the Stamford Seminary and Union Free School, graduating in 1892. Richards received a B.A. degree with honors in chemistry in 1897 from Yale University. He continued his studies with Professor R.H. Chittendon at the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale. When Chittendon left Yale for Columbia, Richards went with him; he graduated in 1901, the first person to receive a Ph.D. in physiological chemistry from the Graduate School of Columbia University.

While at Columbia, Richards began teaching an elective course in pharmacology; in 1907, as a result of the popularity of Richards' course, pharmacology was incorporated into the curriculum. Richards left Columbia in 1908 to set up a department of pharmacology at Northwestern Medical School. After two years, he left Northwestern for the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine to Chair the Department of Pharmacology, a position he held until 1946 when he became Professor Emeritus. In addition, he served the University as Vice President in Charge of Medical Affairs, 1939-1948.

During Word War I, Richards went to Britain to study wound shock with Henry H. Dale and the staff of the British Medical Research Committee. In 1918 he became a Major in the U.S. Sanitary Corps and was sent to France to study the effects of gas warfare. On his return, Richards began his groundbreaking work on kidney functions and the filtration-reabsorption concept.

He served in a variety of governmental capacities including the Chairman of the Committee of Medical Research of the Office of Scientific Research and Development and the Medical Affairs Task Force of the Commission in the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government. Principal among his efforts was making penicillin available to World War II soldiers. He was elected to the office of President of the National Academy of Sciences in 1947 and simultaneously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Merck & Co. Richards was a member of many prestigious professional organizations, and throughout his life he was recognized by professional, academic, governmental, and civic organizations with honors, awards, and honorary degrees.

From the description of Papers, 1904-1969 (bulk, 1904-1966). (University of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 122448760

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Vol. CX. July 1956-Aug. 1957.ff. 1-203. Volume includes:Berry, HCleland, Jean Coghill, Robert DeWolfDoyle, Sheila (cousin of Sareen Fleming)includes:ff. 1-2, 11 H. Berry, Dean, School of Pharmacy, University of London: Letters to Lady A. Fleming re... British Library
creatorOf Survey of medical affairs, University of Pennsylvania, 1931, 1931 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Davis, Richard A., 1925-. TLS to Dr. Robert H. Wilkins, 31 January 1994, Philadelphia. Duke University, Medical Center Library & Archives
referencedIn Robbins, William Jacob, 1890-1978. Papers, 1898-1974. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Cyril Long papers, 1920-1970, 1920-1970 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf [Alfred Newton Richards, biographical materials] University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
creatorOf Richards, Alfred N. (Alfred Newton), 1876-1966. Survey of medical affairs, University of Pennsylvania, 1931. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Richards, Alfred N. (Alfred Newton), 1876-1966. Papers, 1904-1969 (bulk, 1904-1966). University of Pennsylvania, Archives & Records Center
referencedIn Wood, Francis C. (Francis Clark), 1901-. Papers, 1892-1989. College of Physicians of Philadelphia
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Clark, W. Mansfield (William Mansfield), 1884-1964. Papers, 1903-1964. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Neiterman, Jessica P. The transformation of the University of Pennsylvania into a research-based institution: The role of Alfred Newton Richards and the Survey of Medical Affairs/ Jess Neiterman, 2006. University of Pennsylvania, Archives & Records Center
referencedIn Vannevar Bush Papers, 1901-1974, (bulk 1932-1955) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Max Planck correspondence, 1919-1948, 1919-1948 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Long, C. N. H. (Cyril Norman Hugh), 1901-1970. Papers, 1920-1970. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Ravdin, Isidore S. (Isidore Schwaner), 1894-. Papers, 1912-1972. University of Pennsylvania, Archives & Records Center
creatorOf United States. Office of Scientific Research and Development. Committee on Medical Research. Minutes, 1944-1946. College of Physicians of Philadelphia
referencedIn Planck, Max, 1858-1947. Correspondence, 1919-1948. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Vol. CXIII. July 1956-Jan. 1957.ff. 1-210. Volume includes:Bliss, Eleanor Clegg, Hugh Anthony Hobby, Gladys Lounsburyincludes:ff. 1-9 Douglas Macleod, surgeon: Letters to Lady A. Fleming rel. to information for a biography of A. Fleming: 1956: Type... British Library
referencedIn Scientists Collection, 1563-1973 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn William Jacob Robbins papers, 1896-1974, 1896-1974 American Philosophical Society
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Subject
Drugs
Gases, Asphyxiating and poisonous
Medicine
Medicine
Medicine
Penicillin
Pharmacology
Renal pharmacology
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1876-03-22

Death 1966-03-24

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