Pickles, William Biographical Papers

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB2134 B/PIC/B
Held at	: Royal College of General Practitioners   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.rcgp.org.uk/about-us/history-heritage-and-archive.aspx ›
Full 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
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

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 & 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.

Finding aids:

Detailed list to file level.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

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

Allied Materials

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

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:

Date(s) of descriptions:
Sesptember 2002