1831-1923
Offsite Storage Inventory
Restrictions on Access
The Arthur Howard Nichols papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@thawedding.com.
Abstract
This collection consists of Boston physician Arthur H. Nichols's diaries (1852-1923); personal reminiscences of his life from 1840-1894 containing descriptions of trips to Europe in 1863-64, 1866-68, and 1894, and copies of letters from his wife Elizabeth F. Nichols from Europe (1878); and scrapbooks (1858-1905), including several with photographically illustrated descriptions of trips to Europe in 1896, 1898, 1901, and 1902, a trip to Cuba in 1901, and a trip to Puerto Rico in 1905.
Collection Description
The papers of Boston physician Arthur H. Nichols include diaries (1852-1923); personal reminiscences of his life from 1840-1894 containing descriptions of trips to Europe in 1863-64, 1866-68, and 1894, and copies of letters from his wife Elizabeth F. Nichols from Europe (1878); and scrapbooks (1858-1905), including several with photographically illustrated descriptions of trips to Europe in 1896, 1898, 1901, and 1902, and a trip to Puerto Rico in 1905.
Experiences noted throughout include Nichols's time as a student at the Boston Latin School and Harvard University (Class of 1862, Medical School Class of 1866); membership in Boston and medical societies and clubs; his profession as a physician; and his interest in public health issues.
Ten volumes of diaries, kept from 1852-1858, 1860-1862, and 1894-1923 describe Nichols's daily activities, including his studies at Boston Latin School and Harvard University (Class of 1862); social engagements and attendance at professional meetings and events, Nichols's research and interest in bells, and commentary on local and national current events. Occasional entries note Nichols's medical practice and his growing interest in public health issues. Nine additional pocket journals labeled "memoranda for journals," kept from 1887-1903, and 1905 contain abbreviated entries probably used by Nichols to write his diary entries.
Also included are three volumes of scrapbooks detailing Nichols's foreign travel. In addition to photographs and sketches the volumes contain diary-like entries describing Nichols's travels in Europe (1896, 1898, 1901, and 1902); Cuba (1901); and Puerto Rico (1905).
The collection also includes a volume containing lists of Nichols's patients in Boston and during summers at Rye Beach, N.H., including each patient's disease or complaint (1868-1884), a few receipts for medical services issued by Jacob Bigelow (1831-1854), and a "Historical Sketch of Some of the Descendants of Richard Nichols of Ipswich" compiled by A.H. Nichols, 1880-1887.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the grandchildren of A. H. Nichols, Apr. 1969.
Restrictions on Access
The Arthur Howard Nichols papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@thawedding.com.
Summary Description of the Collection
Preferred Citation
Arthur Howard Nichols papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.