Harvey Cushing as a book collector, bibliophile, and archivist: the precedence for the genesis of the Brain Tumor Registry

Abstract

Influenced by individuals such as his parents, Osler, and Halsted, and by his early medical student experience, Harvey Cushing developed a strong interest in collecting, especially antiquarian medical books. Even today, his collection housed at Yale University is one of the most prestigious in the world. Cushing's interest in archives is further manifested and reinforced by his establishment of the Cushing Brain Tumor Registry. The following is a review of Cushing's background not as an eminent clinician and surgeon but as an individual best described as a bibliophile, archivist, and ardent collector of medical paraphernalia.