Robert M. O’Reilly papers, 1862-1925 (MC 34)
Robert Maitland O’Reilly (1845-1912) was the 20th Surgeon General of the United States Army serving from September 7, 1902 to January 14, 1909. O’Reilly served a long military medical career beginning as a medical cadet in August 1862 during the Civil War. Other notable appointments include physician at the White House during both of President Grover Cleveland’s administrations, attending surgeon in Washington, D. C., and chief surgeon for several units during the Spanish-American War. He also served as a delegate at the International Conference for the Revision of the Geneva Convention in Geneva in 1906. During his time as surgeon general, O’Reilly made significant improvements by elevating the status and personnel of the army medical corps and furthering medical research.
This collection contains both personal and professional correspondence, much of which documents O’Reilly’s service during the Civil War. Also included are personal papers, including certificates of appointment and assignments, military circulars, and ephemera as well as a scrapbook documenting the 1906 Geneva Convention Conference.
0.4 Linear feet ; 1 box
Form/Genre(s)
Name(s)
Subject(s)
- American Civil War, letters and diaries
- Conference for Revision of the Geneva Convention of 1906 (1929 : Geneva, Switzerland)
- Medicine. Military--United States--History--19th century.
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States. Dept. of the Army. Office of the Surgeon General