Moore, Veranus A. (Veranus Alva), 1859-1931

Bacteriologist, veterinary pathologist, one of the first six faculty of the New York State Veterinary College at Cornell University, and Dean of the College, 1908-1929.

From the description of Veranus A. Moore papers, 1836-1958. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 64652418

Veranus Alva Moore was born in Houndsfield (Hounsfield), NY, on April 13, 1859. He was raised in Oswego County, New York. When he was 14 years old, he stepped on a nail which caused an infection that kept him on crutches for the next ten years. During those years, Veranus struggled to finish his education while helping his mother support the family and raise his three younger brothers.

In 1883 he entered Cornell University. His work was so impressive that Dr. Simon Henry Gage recommended him for a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Industry before he had completed his degree. He left for Washington in January 1887, wrote his undergraduate thesis in his spare time, and returned in June to graduate with his class. The following fall he entered Columbian (now George Washington) University. He took classes in the evenings and studied during weekends and vacations and received his M.D. in 1890.

Moore's career centered around the study and control of infectious diseases afflicting food animals. He worked for the Bureau of Animal Industry until 1896, then returned to Cornell to become one of the original six professors of the newly founded New York State Veterinary College. He taught Comparative Pathology and Bacteriology as well as meat inspection. In 1908 he became the second dean of the college, succeeding James Law. He served in that post until 1929, and died only two years later on February 11, 1931.

More information about Moore can be found in the "Biography" series in this collection as well as in American National Biography

• 1859: Born on April 13 in Houndsfield (Hounsfield), New York
• 1887: B.S., Cornell University
• 1887: Hired by the Bureau of Animal Industry
• 1890: M.D., Columbian (George Washington) University
• 1892: Married Mary L. Slawson on July 12
• 1893: Erwin Veranus Moore born on December 24
• 1896: Mary Eastman Moore (Shackleton) born on November 5
• 1896: Joined the faculty of the New York State Veterinary College
• 1901: Norman Slawson Moore born on April 17
• 1908: Became the second dean of the New York State Veterinary College
• 1911: V.M D.(Honorary), University of Pennsylvania
• 1919: Doctor of Science (Honorary), Syracuse University
• 1929: Retired from the New York State Veterinary College
• 1929: Became the director of Ithaca Memorial Hospital
• 1931: Died on February 11 at the age of 71 following intestinal surgery at Ithaca Memorial Hospital

From the guide to the Veranus A. Moore papers, 1836-1958, (Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library)