A Guide to the James L. and Dorothy Knowles Thomson papers, 1936-1987 2004.May.6
A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, accession number 2004.05.06
VCU Health Sciences Library
Special Collections and Archives 509 N 12th StBox 980582
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Business Number: (804) 828-9898
libhssca@vcu.edu
URL: https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/locations/
Jody Romero
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Preferred Citation
Papers of James L. and Dorothy Knowles Thomson, 2004/May/06, Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.
Acquisition Information
Donated by the Thomson family.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. James L. Thomson was a nationally-known neurosurgeon. He graduated from the Medical College of the University of Cincinnati in 1934 and taught neurological surgery at the Medical College of Virginia from 1938-1941. He served in World War II as neurosurgeon to the 45th General Hospital in Morocco and Italy. He was one of seven officers in the unit awarded the Bronze Star. After the War, Thomson practiced in Norfolk, Va. He was the first neurosurgeon to practice in the Tidewater area and saw patients at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth and the Marine Public Health Hospitals in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, and Suffolk. Thomson was a charter member of the Excelsior Surgical Society, a group of 80 medical officers who met for the first time in 1945 at the Excelsior Hotel, Rome, Italy. He also helped organize the Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias and was its first president. In 1959, Thomson was cited by the President's Committee for the Physically Handicapped for his efforts to employ those with physical handicaps while a member of the Medical Advisory Board of the State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. At the time of his death in 1973, he was Chief of Neurosurgery at Norfolk General and DePaul Hospitals, a diplomat of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. James L. Thomson married Dorothy Mae Knowles on 15 May, 1940. They had two children, Martha and James. Dorothy Mae Knowles grew up in Woodard, North Carolina and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia's nursing program in 1934. From 1937-1940, Knowles was an Instructor and Supervisor of Operating Room Technique at MCV. With her husband, she was a charter member of the Excelsior Surgical Society. In 1995, she established the James L. Thomson, MD and Dorothy Knowles Thomson, RN Fund for the School of Nursing to heighten awareness alternative and complementary therapies.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains papers of Dr. James L. Thomson and his wife, Dorothy Knowles Thomson. Dr. Thomson's papers include World War II memorabilia and photographs as well as papers from the Excelsior Club, a group of surgeons brought together by the war. The papers of Mrs. Thomson, an instructor of operating room nursing at the Medical College of Virginia, include teaching materials and personal effects.
Arrangement
Records are in chronological order.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Medical College of Virginia -- Archives
- Neurosurgeons -- Virginia -- Richmond
- Neurosurgery -- history.
- Nurses -- Virginia -- Richmond
- Nurses -- Virginia.
- Operating room nursing.
- Physicians -- Virginia.
- Thomson, Dorothy Knowles
- Thomson, James L.
- World War II.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Archives -- Veterans
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Thomson, Dorothy Knowles
- Thomson, James L.
Container List
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.1- 1.3
Operating Room GuideScope and Contents
This is the first part of a series of three folders encompassing the handwritten, typed, guidebook used by Mrs. Thompson during her years as a surgical nurse.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.3
"Urological Instruments "1941
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.3
"How to Obtain Maximum Service from Hypodermic Syringes, Needles, Clinical Thermometers and Ace Bandages. "1940
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.3
New Dermatoma for Cutting Calibrated Skin Grafts1939
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.3
PhotographScope and Contents
Photograph of a proper surgical tool layout.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.3
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.4
Teaching Manual1940-1942Scope and Contents
This folder contains the teaching manual for Mrs. Thompson's course on Operating Room techniques. typed, mimeograph, and handwritten pages.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.5
Course outline and exams1942
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.6
Related source material.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.6
"Problems of Curriculum Administration. Proposed Revision of the Curriculum for Nursing Schools. "1936
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.6
"Factors Determining the Development of Nursing and Schools of Nursing. "1932
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.6
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.7
Letter of Acceptance24 Jun, 1931Scope and Contents
This folder contains a copy of the Mrs. Thompson's acceptance into MCV's nursing school.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.8
Supplemental source materialScope and Contents
Autoclaving Surgical Supplies and Instruments , Boiling Instruments and Utensils , Chemical Sterilization vs. Alcohol , Bard. Parker Formaldehyde Germicide , "Phenylmurcuric Compounds. "
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.1
Memorabilia, Misc.Scope and Contents
This folder contains mulitiple assorted memorabilia including stamps, currency, playbills and maps.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.2
Memorabilia: Trip to Rabat, Oman.1943
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.2
PostcardsScope and Contents
Images of local people, the Fountain Arabe, and several pen and ink images of local places.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.2
TranslationScope and Contents
Paper with English to Arabic translations.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.3
Business cards of local folks.Scope and Contents
Docteur Canto (French), Ahmed Bennani (Moroccan), Tomail Mahdi Khattab (Egyptian).
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.2
Perfume tags
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.2
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.3
WW2 GI Comic books.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.3
"Mud, Mules and Mountains "Scope and Contents
by Bill Mauldin
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.3
This Damn Tree LeaksScope and Contents
by Bill Mauldin
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.3
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.4
Memorabilia: Trip to Switzerland1945Scope and Contents
This file contains various items including offical military instructions, travel papers, hotel tags and broucures, postcards, and other documentation.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.5
"Frac. dislocation of cervical spine in infancy. Px by skeletal traction "1937Scope and Contents
Typed and handwritten article
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.1
US Army Office of the Surgeon: Circular Letter1944-1945Scope and Contents
(1944) 30, 36, 48 (1945) 8
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.1
Outline, US Army program for Plastic and Maxilliofacial surgery1945
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.1
Outline, US Army program for Plastic and Maxilliofacial surgery1935Scope and Contents
U of Cincinnati
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.2
Newspaper clippings of Unit1944-1945Scope and Contents
All Richmond Times Dispatch unless noted.
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.2
"Allied Hospital Area Hit In Beachhead Area "Scope and Contents
Picture caption
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.2
UnknownScope and Contents
Written in Arabic
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.2
"Modern Street Scene "17 Nov, 1945Scope and Contents
Picture caption (Tel Aviv)
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.2
"Jewish City Is Cultural, Industrial "Scope and Contents
Picture caption. (Tel Aviv)
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.2
"Springtime in Italy Finds War Fought to Stalemate "2 Apr, 1944
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.2
"Zionists Raid Arms Depot Near Tel Aviv "11 Oct, 1945
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.2
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.3
Playbills, Christmas booklets, telegrams
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.3
Telegrams (2) Birthday, promotion
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.3
Christmas programs1942, 1944Scope and Contents
Camp Lee, 1942; Italy, 1944
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.3
Thanksgiving programs1942, 1944Scope and Contents
Camp Lee, 1942; Italy, 1944
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.3
Armistice Day programScope and Contents
MCV 1942
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.3
PlaybillScope and Contents
"This Is The Army " by Irving Berlin
- Mixed Materials folder: 3.3
-
Clippings about awards wonScope and Contents
Newsprint
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.1
General Orders #163Scope and Contents
Award of Bronze Star and Legion of Merit
-
Award of Meritorious Service Unit Plaque25 Jun, 1945Scope and Contents
People listed include: People listed include: Maj. R. D. Butterworth, Maj. James L. Thompson, Maj. B. W. Rawles Jr, Cpt. B. B. Clay, Cpt. E. C. Toone, Cpt. A. G. Brown III, Cpt. J. R. Massie, Lt. Col. Morton M. Pickney, 1st Lt. Mary Louise Roberts, 2nd Lt. Elaine Arletta Roe, 2nd Lt. Rita Virginia Roarke.
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.1
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.2
Original orders, receipts and tags1942-1943, 1945Scope and Contents
Original orders, receipts and tags.
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.2
Memo to Officers About to Embark for Overseas30 Nov, 1942
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.2
Extract of Special Order 349 Feb, 1943
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.2
Extract of Special Order 292 Feb, 1943
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.2
War Department address card31 Mar, 1943
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.2
Room assignment for transatlantic trip aboard HMS Andes
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.2
Welcome Home7 Sep, 1945
- Mixed Materials folder: 4.2
This report contains many photographs taken by her father, James Thompson while on assignment at the 45th General Hospital.
- Mixed Materials folder: 6.1
Photographs12 Oct, 1985Scope and Contents
39th Excelsior club meeting
- Mixed Materials folder: 6.2
Yearbook, invitations to 29th meeting
- Mixed Materials folder: 6.3
MemorabiliaScope and Contents
Copy of 39th Meeting program, Copy of 25th Meeting program, 45th G.H. Newsletter May/1999, clipping of finishing of girder work on what is now West Hospital. Special letters and rolls.
- Mixed Materials folder: 6.4
MemorabiliaScope and Contents
Letters and recommendations, meeting memorabilia, Guideposts featuring Dr. Michael De Bakey, a member. Copy of the 28th Meeting program.
- Mixed Materials folder: 6.5
Letters and memorabiliaScope and Contents
Minutes of annual meetings 1963, 1966, 1971. Copy of the 2nd and 4th annual meetings.
- Mixed Materials folder: 7.1
Nursing School1932 - 1944Scope and Contents
This set involves the nursing school education of Dorothy Knowles. The photographs are of her and other students, generally on the rooftops of the main hospital buildings. People indicated include Dr. James Baker, Dr. James L. Thompson, Dr. Kenneth Cherry, Dr. Beverly Clary, Ruth Kipps, Meredith Gladding, Marian Cassiday, Ruth Warner, Jannie Buchanan, Evelyn Neal, Elizabeth Watkins, Queenie Victoria Jones, G.H. Addleman, Virginia Lewter, Sarah Ingold, Polly Carlton, Alma Paucake, Muriel Price.
- Mixed Materials folder: 7.2
Nursing School: Large PhotographsScope and Contents
This folder contains the large photographs of the above set
- Mixed Materials folder: 7.3
Richmond SkylineScope and Contents
This series includes several pictures taken from the rooftop of one of the hospitals. Also there are street photographs after a snowstorm including one of snow in an open topped car.
- Mixed Materials folder: 7.4
MCV HospitalScope and Contents
This series has photographs of what is now the West Hospital and an ivy covered Egyptian Building.
- Mixed Materials folder: 7.5
Dr. David Tucker1939Scope and Contents
This series has a photograph of the donation of the portrait of Dr. David Tucker by members of his family to MCV.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.1
Photographs - IschiceScope and Contents
This series shows Dr. Thompson and others aboard a ship viewing Italian ruins from the water. The photographs are not labeled and no people are identified.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.2
Biah1944Scope and Contents
This series is of local images around the town where the 45th was stationed. Photographs include liberty ships, a sunken hospital ship, and images from Naples (Italy) harbor. People indicated include Sgt. Tucker Carter, Duncan Caulder, Bill Daner, Capt. Tommy (Tee) Thompson.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.3
Amalphia Drive - Italy1944Scope and Contents
This series shows images taken from an estate atop a steep cliff. People indicated include Capt. Larry Massey and Russel.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.4
Mt. Vesuvius, 1944. Tommy, Guy Horsley, Jud Butterworth and others.1944Scope and Contents
This series shows a trip to Mt. Vesuvius by the three indicated in the title. People indicated include Guy Horsley, Jud Butterworth, Kels Boland (43rd G.H. Atlanta)
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.5
Mueller Living Quarters, Naples Italy1944-1947Scope and Contents
This series includes images of the family that Dr. Thompson boarded with while in Italy. Commentary discusses price of wine after the war, and images from a party. People indicated include the Mueller family, Angelo, Josephine, Rosa, and Mr. and Mrs. Mueller
- Mixed Materials folder: 1944
Sorrento1944Scope and Contents
This series includes photographs of Mt. Vesuvius and the immediate vicinity of the Victoria Hotel.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.7
Photographs - Venice1945Scope and Contents
This series includes images of Venice, Italy including St. Marco's church and the Venice bell tower. There are images of gondolas and canals as well. People indicated include Tee Thompson and Jim Baker.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.8
Rome 19441944Scope and Contents
This series includes images of Rome Italy after WW2 including Vatican City, St. Peter's basilica, bridges over the Tiber River, the gravesite of the poet Keats, and the Castle of St. Angelo.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.9
Photographs - Anzio, Cassina, and Capua1944Scope and Contents
This series includes images from the ruins of three Italian cities. Anzio images depict tombstones from a cemetery. Cassina and Capua images are of damaged buildings, bridges, and warning signs.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.10
Photographs - Trip to Cairo - Athens, Greece - Wailing Wall, Jerusalem1944Scope and Contents
This series includes images of the Egyptian pyramids, the Sphinx, the Wailing Wall, and the Acropolis in Athens. Also included are many photos taken within the transport plane. People indicated include 1st Lt. Jean Jack, Capt. Dorothy Volker, 1st Lt. Mildred Littlejohn, 1st Lt. Jane Atyett, 1st Lt. Ann Shanaly, 1st Lt. Marjorie Hollingsworth, 1st Lt. Axtell, Capt. Tee Thompson, Capt. Robert Massey, Major Buckles, Capt. Larens, and Lt. Col. Sandzen.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.11
Photographs - Trip to Cairo - Athens, Greece - Wailing Wall, Jerusalem. Large Photographs.Scope and Contents
This series includes the larger photographs of the above collection.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.12
Photographs - Dr. James L. Thompson1944, 1945Scope and Contents
This series includes photographs taken from the side of the road. People indicated include Tee Thompson.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.13
Base Hospital #451944-45Scope and Contents
This series includes images of the Hospital complex, buildings, tents and staff who were assigned to this Hospital. People indicated include Mike Pinchney and Powell Williams.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 8.14
Base Hospital #45: Large Photographs1944-45Scope and Contents
This series includes the larger photographs of the above series.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.15
Photographs Neurosurgical Italy1944Scope and Contents
This series includes images from the neurosurgery ward at the 45th G.H. Also included are photographs of a garden planted between two of the far buildings. People indicated include T/5 Emmitt Luchard, Doris Shaffer, Florence Feik, John Marshall (ward boy), T/5 Chilter, T/5 Campbell, PFC Hatcher
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.16
Untitled1941-1945Scope and Contents
This series is a collection of loose photographs that may have come from the other series but are put together here. There are images of the 45th hospital complex, cityscapes, City of Pompei ruins, and local scenery. People indicated include Tee Thompson, Dr. Guy Horsley, Dr. Beu Rawls, Dr. W.T. Thompson, Doris Shaffer, Capt. Lawrence Hurt, and Dr. C. C. Coleman.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.17
Untitled - Large Photographs1941-1945Scope and Contents
This series contains the larger photographs of the above series.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.18
Oran, AlgeriaScope and Contents
This series contains photographs of artwork, and architecture.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.19
Oran, Algeria - Large PhotographsScope and Contents
This series contains the larger photographs of the above series.
- Mixed Materials folder: 8.20
Medical ProceduresScope and Contents
This series includes x-rays, diagrams, and examples of prosthetics used by the Army during WW2.