Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Box/Folder James Russell Boldridge papers, Accession # 1985/Apr/7, Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.

Acquisition Information

A gift from Edward Barbour Boldridge of Rixeyville, VA donated in 1985.

Biographical Information

Dr. James Russell Boldridge (1885-1983) was born at Brown's Store in Culpeper County  , Virginia to Dr. James Barbour Boldridge and Laura Henry Boldridge. He graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1909 and then served an internship at Retreat for the Sick Hospital. He began a general practice in 1910 covering parts of Culpeper, Rappahannock  , and Fauquier Counties  . At the time he began his practice there were four doctors in the town of Culpeper and eight more in the county  . Though it was a rural area the poor road conditions made it necessary to have a doctor in each community. During World War I he served on the draft board for Culpeper County  . Boldridge continued to practice until he was 90 years old.

Boldridge married Annie Marie Hess, a registered nurse, in 1912. They had four sons James Russell Jr., William Franklin, Edward Barbour, and John Henry. In addition to his medical practice Boldridge owned "Homeland," a 344 acre farm located in Rixeyville, Virginia which he purchased in 1918. Boldridge died in 1983 at the age of 97.

Scope and Content

The papers of Dr. James Russell Boldridge pertain mostly to his time in medical school and in medical practice. The collection also includes some personal papers. Types of materials include case notes, certificates and diplomas, clippings, correspondence, day books and diaries, financial records, legal records, letcure notes, photographs, and other related materials. The materials related to his medical practice provide insight into the work of the rural medical practitioner especially during the years just prior to World War I.

Series 1: Professional papers, 1908-1978. This series is composed of materials related to Boldridge's work as a physician. Items include account books for his practice, certficates and diplomas, correspondence, which includes exchanges with other doctors regarding his patients' cases, case notes, a day book and diaries with brief notes on patient visits, legal records, opium distribution license and order forms, and records of birth.

Series 2: Medical school papers, 1905-1909. This series includes materials from Boldridge's time as a student at the Medical College of Virginia. These materials include case studies, exams, lectures notes prepared by his instructors on dermatology, surgery, and tumors, his own notes including a notebook with prescription preparations, and copies of the Virginia State Board of Medical Examiners exams.

Series 3: Personal papers, 1869-1872, 1899-1960. This series contains some personal materials which include correspondence, clippings, a ledger, photographs, the records from his administration of the Robert L. Browning estate of which he was the executor, and other miscellaneous items.

Arrangement

These papers are divided into 3 series: Series 1: Professional papers, 1908-1978; Series 2: Medical school papers, 1905-1909; and Series 3: Personal papers, 1869-1960.

Efforts have been made to maintain the origial organization where applicable. The files are arranged alphabetically within each series and materials within the files are arranged chronologically where applicable.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Boldridge, James Russell, 1885-1983
• Culpeper County   (Va.)
• Medical College of Virginia
• Medicine, Rural--History--20th century--Virginia.
• Rappahannock   County   (Va.)
• Virginia Commonwealth University