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Royal College of General Practitioners

Pickles, William Biographical Papers


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB2134 B/PIC/B

Held at: Royal College of General Practitioners

Title: Pickles, William Biographical Papers

Date(s): 1902-1984

Level of description: sub-fonds

Extent: 3 boxes

Name of creator(s): Pickles | William | 1885-1969
Pemberton | John | b 1912 | biographer

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

William Pickles (1885-1969) general practitioner and epidemiologist practised medicine in Aylsgarth in Yorkshire between 1912 and 1964.

Pickles practiced as GP for over fifty years in Aysgarth, Yorkshire, until his retirement in 1964. Throughout this period he conducted extensive research into epidemiology, using the Aysgarth District and its inhabitants he worked tirelessly to investigate epidemiological trends in rural areas. He lectured throughout Britain and worlwide, in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. He was appointed Cutter Lecturer, 1947-48 at Harvard University, America. Pickles was influential in the founding of the College of General Practitoners (later the Royal Collge of General Practitioners) and held the post of First President, 1953-1956.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Material reflecting the more personal aspect of Pickles' life. Includes medals, prizes and awards presented to Pickles in recognition of his work, and the related certificates and correspondence; material about Pickles created by others, including 'Will Pickles of Wensleydale: The Life of a Country Doctor' (1970) the official biography by John Pemberton; correspondence regarding the painting of Pickles portrait, in 1954, for the College of General Practitioners (later the Royal College of General Practitioners); articles and letters regarding significant events in his life, such as his 80th birthday, and his death, in 1969, and the ensuing obituaries. Also includes family and personal papers, amongst them is material of local, genealogical and personal interest, such as the Pickles family tree dating from c 1825, photographs of Pickles and of Aysgarth, and his personal notes and recollections. Arrangement: Functional.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

Functional

Conditions governing access:

Access is at the discretion of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Requests for access should be made in writing to The Archivist, Royal College of General Practitioners, 14 Princes Gate, Hyde Park, London, SW7 1PU.

Conditions governing reproduction:

For further information on reproduction contact The Archivist, Royal College of General Practitioners, 14 Princes Gate, Hyde Park, London, SW7 1PU.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Detailed list to file level.

Detailed catalogue

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

none expected

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Most of collection donated by Mrs Patience Clayton, daugther of Pickles, October 1969.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Correspondence with Pickles can be found in the W.O. Williams Papers, held in the College archives; GB/2134/B-WO.

Correspondence with Pickles can be found in the Personal Papers of John Hunt, held in the College Archives, GB/2134/B HUN.

Selection of papers were deposited at North Yorkshire County Record Office, Northallerton, by Mrs Patience Clayton, Pickles' daughter, in October 1984. Amongst the papers are commonplace books, Gertrude Pickles' (Pickles' wife) diaries, 4 scrapbooks and photograph albums arranged by Mrs Clayton of events in the life of Will Pickles, and Mrs Clayton's unpublished writings about Pickles.

Publication note:

Pemberton J. Will Pickles of Wensleydale: The Life of a Country Doctor. London: Geoffrey Bless; 1970. reprinted by RCGP 1984.

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Date(s) of descriptions: Sesptember 2002


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
General practice | Medical sciences
General practitioners | Physicians | Medical personnel | Medical profession
Personnel

Personal names
Pemberton | John | b 1912 | biographer
Pickles | William | 1885-1969

Corporate names

Places
Aysgarth | Yorkshire | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe
London | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe