George Taylor Klipstein manuscript medical account books

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Public domain. There are no known restrictions.

Preferred citation:

George Taylor Klipstein manuscript medical account books, C0257, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Summary

Extent:
5 Linear Feet 12 boxes, 17 volumes
Creator:
Klipstein, George Taylor, 1854-1929
Abstract:
A collection of medical account books kept by Dr. George Taylor Klipstein of Alexandria, Virginia from 1881-1918.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

George Taylor Klipstein manuscript medical account books, C0257, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of medical account books kept by Dr. George Taylor Klipstein of Alexandria, Virginia from 1881-1918 to record financial transactions with patients. The majority of the 17 volumes contain an alphabetical index of patients by last name, with most entries including the street or intersection of the patient's residence, the date of the visit, the cost, and sometimes the method of payment received. Conditions treated are only occasionally included. Account information for 1883-1888 is split into two physical volumes, with the second volume not repeating the patient index included in the first.

The earliest volume, covering 1881-1888, appears to have originally been used by someone else, with an inscription on the cover reading "Journal, Nov. 1, 1793, Wm. G. Howell" and the first few pages contain sketches before the beginning of the account information. Many of the ledgers contain loose papers throughout, such as envelopes, invoices, or notes, with the account book dated 1908-1911 including a loose page containing a list of patients from 1918 which is reflected in the box inventory.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. George Taylor Klipstein was born on December 17, 1854 in the City of Alexandria, Virginia. He received his early education from St. John's Academy before attending Columbia College in Washington where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1877, he began studying medicine at Jefferson College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and after graduating in 1880 or 1881 he returned to Alexandria where he would practice medicine for the next 47 years, including 45 years serving on the staff of the Alexandria Hosptial. Dr. Klipstein was a prominent member of the local and state medical community, serving as president of both the Alexandria Medical Society and the Virginia Medical Society. He passed away on September 5, 1929 at the age of 74 in Los Angeles, California where he had relocated the previous year in the hopes of improving his failing health. He is buried in Saint Paul's Cemetery in the City of Alexandria.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by George Mason University Libraries before 2008. Additional ledger transferred from the Alexandria Library, Local History and Special Collections Branch to Special Collections Research Center in September 2025.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Elizabeth Beckman in May 2015. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in May 2015. Additional processing completed and finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner in February 2026.

Arrangement:

The account books are arranged in chronological order.

Physical location:
OS R 2, C 3, S 5-6
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard