Daniel E. Wright Papers, 1903/1973

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Daniel E. Wright Papers, Ms1968-007, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
2.5 Cubic Feet 3 boxes
Creator:
Wright, Daniel E.
Abstract:
This collection contains materials dealing with the Panama Canal, the public health activities of the Rockefeller Foundation, the United Nations Public Health Service, and the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. Also includes correspondence to and from Daniel E. Wright while a colonel on the staff of Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell and at the U.S. Middle Eastern Command Headquarters in Cairo, as well as photographs from his travels.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Daniel E. Wright Papers, Ms1968-007, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of materials from 1903 to 1973 with the bulk from the 1940s and 1950s. This collection contains reports, speeches, magazine and newspaper articles, and correspondence concerning Daniel E. Wright's travels and sanitation work in the Panama Canal, Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East.

During this period Wright pioneered the use of DDT to control malaria, dysentery, and other endemic diseases afflicting the Greek population. Collection contains materials dealing with the Panama Canal, the public health activities of the Rockefeller Foundation, and the UNRRA and the UNPHS. Also includes extensive correspondence to his family while a colonel on the staff of Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell and later of the U.S. Middle Eastern Command Headquarters in Cairo, and photographs (ca. 250) from his travels.

Biographical / historical:

Born in Winchester, Virginia, Daniel E. Wright recieved a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1904. He went on to participate in the construction of the Panama Canal and in the public health activities which rid the Canal Zone of yellow fever and malaria. In 1921, Wright was awarded the Theodor Roosevelt Medal of Honor for this work in the Canal Zone. He then served as a consultant (1921-29) for the Columbian and Panamanian governments, joined the staff of the Rockefeller Foundation in 1929, and worked in Greece and Turkey on water supply and disease control. Wright also worked with the United Nations Public Health Service (UNPHS) in Burma during World War II, before joining the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) from 1944 until 1949.

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated to the Special Collections prior to 1968 and in 1968, 1969, and 1970.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Daniel E. Wright Papers commenced in August 2006 and was completed in September 2006. Preliminary processing took place in 2001.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject matter.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard