Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

William Lee Cosby papers, 1904-1980, Accession number 1984.02.04, Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Biographical / Historical

William Lee Cosby was born September 14, 1885 in Powhatan County, VA. He attended Liberty Hall School in Lodi, Virginia, and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in Richmond, VA in 1909. After graduating from MCV, he was part of Richmond's first ambulance service, and also practiced in Gloucester County for a short time. In 1910 he moved to Painter, VA on the Eastern Shore to be the town's doctor. He married Amine Cobb in 1914, and together they had 5 children. He was well-loved in Painter for his work and kindness, and worked until his retirement in 1955. After a long illness, Cosby died November 13, 1965 in Accomack County, VA.

Content Description

The collection consists of correspondence to and about Dr. Cosby, photographs of time in the Richmond Ambulance Corps and at the Medical College of Virginia, photographs of his family, a 1909 MCV commencement program and diploma seal, and newspaper clippings detailing Dr. Cosby's life on the Eastern Shore.

Arrangement

The materials had no discernable order when acquired. The materials have been grouped together to easily facilitate research, consisting of correspondence, photographs, commencement materials, and newspaper clippings.

Separated Material

See also the Diploma and Certificate collection (2015.02.03) which contains Dr. Cosby's 1909 diploma from the Medical College of Virginia

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Ambulance service
• Cosby, William Lee, 1885-1965
• Kellam, E. Polk, Mrs., 1916-2014
• Photographs
• Physicians -- Virginia.