James Law papers, 1862-1914-(bulk 1895-1908)
Collection Number: 24-1-3329

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
James Law papers, 1862-1914-(bulk 1895-1908)
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
24-1-3329
Abstract:
Correspondence relating to James Law's duties as Dean of the New York State Veterinary College.
Creator:
Law, James, 1838-1921.
Quanitities:
4 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

James Law was one of the first faculty members of Cornell University, the first dean of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, and a pioneer in veterinary medicine and public health in the United States.
Law was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, February 13, 1838. He was educated at Edinburgh's Veterinary College and the medical school at Edinburgh University. He received additional training in France at the veterinary schools in Alfort and Lyons. When Andrew Dickson White approached him in 1868 to join the faculty at newly founded Cornell University, Law was an experienced teacher and practitioner with a firm belief in sound scientific training for veterinarians. Law brought his beliefs to fruition at Cornell through high entrance requirements, rigorous courses, and exacting state licensing requirements.
Law was also a leader in public health. His work on tuberculosis, foot and mouth disease and other epizootics had a profound effect on animal and human health in America. His fight against superstitious animal care practices rampant in rural America also had significant influence. His Farmer's Veterinary Advisor was read widely by practitioners and lay people alike for its practical and medically sound advise on the treatment of common ailments.
For more biographical information about James Law, see the essay in American National Biography as well as Ellis Leonard's description in A Cornell Heritage.

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Correspondence relating to James Law's duties as Dean of the New York State Veterinary College. Significant topics include standards for entrance requirements to veterinary colleges, state licensing regulations, and bovine tuberculosis control. Significant correspondents include William Henry Kelly, in his role as the New York State Veterinary Medical Society's representative to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners; James Russel Parsons, Jr., Director of the Examination Department of the University of the State of New York; and Charles P. Lyman, Dean of Harvard University's veterinary college.
Includes paper-mache horse leg that was produced by Louis Thomas Jerome Auzoux, a pioneer of three dimensional teaching models. It was used by Professor Law in teaching the anatomy of the horse.
Also Law's microscope (1862) and woodcuts from 1876 book "The Farmer's Veterinary Advisor: A Guide to the Treatment of Disease in Domestic Animals."

PROVENANCE

This collection was removed from the Veranus A. Moore papers during processing in 2003-2004. See the Collection Arrangement note in that guide for further explanation.

RELATED MATERIAL

RMC Collection # 24-1-119. Veranus A. Moore papers
RMC Collection # 2541. New York State Veterinary Medical Society records
RMC Collection # 6370. Letters to Samuel Campbell, 1869-1871.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:

James Law papers, #24-1-3329. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
PROVENANCE

This collection was removed from the Veranus A. Moore papers during processing in 2003-2004. See the Collection Arrangement note in that guide for further explanation.

SUBJECTS

Names:
Law, James, 1838-1921.
Lyman, Charles Parker, 1846-1918.
Parsons, James Russell, 1861-1905.
Kelly, William Henry.
New York State College of Veterinary Medicine
New York State Veterinary Medical Society
Subjects:
Models, Anatomic.
Paper-mache.
Veterinary medicine -- Study and teaching.
Veterinarians -- Legal status, laws, etc.
Tuberculosis in cattle.

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Folder 1
Biography
1905-1909
Box 1 Folder 2
Incoming Correspondence
1895-1908
Box 1 Folder 3
Outgoing Correspondence
1884, 1896-1908, 1914, n.d.
Box 1 Folder 4
Miscellaneous
1885, n.d.
Box 2
2 Notebooks
n.d.
Box 2
Loose Notes
n.d.
Box 3
James Law's Microscope
1862
Box 3
Woodcuts from book "The Farmer's Veterinary Advisor: A Guide to the Treatment of Disease in Domestic Animals"
1876
Box 3
Two cooper print wooden block photo negatives of James Law
Undated
Box 4 MU-1509
Paper Mache Horse Leg Model
Undated
Scope and Contents
Produced by Louis Thomas Jerome Auzoux, a pioneer of three dimensional teaching models. It was used by Professor Law in teaching the anatomy of the horse.