Papers of Johann Abraham Albers (1772-1821)

The papers of Johann Abraham Albers consist of correspondence over a thirty year period with various persons, 1798-1828, and include a note concerning Dr. Albers' anatomical preparations, 1822.

German physician Johann Abraham Albers was born in Bremen on 20 March 1772. He studied medicine in Goettingen and in Jena and was awarded his doctorate in 1795. He then made a study journey around Germany and in England before returning to his home city in 1798 to start practicing. While he was abroad he became interested in hospital reform. He also carried out comparative anatomical research into the eyes of birds and marine animals, and concerned himself with obstetrics and paediatrics. He engaged in rich correspondence with other physicians and scientists both in Germany and abroad, and wrote for the Edinburgh Annals of medicine. Albers participated in the translation from French and publication of Abhandlung ueber den Croup (1816), and was responsible for Commentatio de tracheitide infantum vulgo croup vocata (1816). Johann Abraham Albers died on 24 March 1821.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie. Erster Band. Leipzig: Verlag von Duncker and Humblot, 1875. (2) Neue Deutsche Biographie. Erster Band. Berlin: Duncker and Humblot, 1952.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.