Finding Aid to the Sarah E. Branham Papers, 1930-1986 (bulk 1930-1960)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Descriptive Summary

Biographical/Historical Note

Collection Summary

Index Terms

Series Descriptions

Papers, 1930-1960

Biographical/Historical Note

Sarah Elizabeth Branham (1888-1962) received her degree in biology from Wesleyan College (Macon, GA) in 1907 and continued to earn graduate degrees in zoology and chemistry (University of Colorado, 1919), in bacteriology (PhD, University of Chicago, 1920; 1923; 1934), and her MD in 1934, also from Chicago. When she first arrived in Chicago in 1919, the aeteology of of the 19181-1919 influenza pandemic was a continuing problem, so her advisor suggested influenza for her thesis.

She continued to study meningococcal viruses throughout her long career, becoming an international expert. Her brief academic career under the tutelage of Stanhope Bayne-Jones at the University of Rochester was quickly interrupted, as she was asked to join the Hygienic Laboratory's urgent work to investigate an outbreak of meningoccocus that had reached California from China. She continued her work on other influenza strains including Neisseria meningitidis and Psittacosis. Her work helped spur the introduction of bacteriology in public health, and her work foreshadowed the growth of microbiology and molecular immunology. She was considered an equal among scientists and the designation of the genus Branhamella (catarrhalis) in 1974 was a final recognition of her importance to the field.

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Collection Summary

The small collection of personal papers primarily contains professional correspondence during the 1930s-1950s. Specifically of note is the correspondence between Branham and two colleagues, E.G.D. Murray and Arthur Hitchens. The letters discuss their current research activities and demonstrate the collaborative nature of scientific work necessary in early microbiology. Letters between Murray and herself often involve asking on or the other to send live meningoccocus strains, as they were difficult to maintain in the laboratory. Murray was performing similar studies in England and Canada, and Hitchens worked for the University of Pennsylvania. Also included is a complete collection of her reprints and special issue of the journal Drugs, vol. 31, supplement 3 (1986) containing articles from a symposium held in honor of Branhamella catarrhalis.

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Series Descriptions

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