vircuh00023Carper, Robert B., papersA Guide to the Robert B. Carper papers, 1820-1862 83.Jun.09A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Accession number 83.Jun.09Jody RomeroVCU Health Sciences Library

2005

Special Collections and Archives 509 N 12th StBox 980582Richmond, Virginia 23298Business Number: (804) 828-9898libsca@vcu.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-02-10 07:01:58 -0500.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard VCU Health Sciences Library Robert B. Carper papers Carper, Robert B. (Robert Benjamin), 1836-1862 83.Jun.09 /repositories/3/resources/34 0.25 Linear Feet 1820-1866 English 1 Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

 Use Restrictions

No restrictions on use.

 Preferred Citation

Robert B. Carper Collection, Accession #83/Jun/09, Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.

 Biographical / Historical

Robert Benjamin Carper was born in Greenbrier, Virginia (now West Virginia) on 23 November 1836. The second of seven children, Carper graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1861. As a doctor he could have joined the Army as an officer, but he refused a commission. Instead, he joined the 11th Virginia Volunteers, known as the Fincastle Rifles, as an infantryman to be with his two brothers. After a one year enlistment, and in poor health, he reenlisted to stay with his brothers. Carper was injured in the Battle of Williamsburg on 5 May, 1862 and was sent to a hospital in Williamsburg where he died two weeks later on 19 May. He is buried in Williamsburg with his mother's family.

 Scope and Contents

The collection includes items related to Carper's time as a student at the Medical College of Virginia, a daguerreotype of Carper, and a lock of his hair.

 Acquisition Information

Donated by Dr. William Bean from his family files.

 Soldiers -- Confederate States of America Medical College of Virginia -- Alumni and alumnae -- Archives Confederate States of America. Army. Virginia Infantry Regiment, 11th Carper, Robert B. (Robert Benjamin), 1836-1862 -- Archives Books/repositories/3/archival_objects/51131820, 185511Scope and Contents

Consists of two books: Military Laws , By C. W. Gooch, 1820. There is a stamp of "B. Carper" on the front page. This book was a compilation of military laws, military medical and general knowledge involving the US Army of that time period. Printed by the Adjunct General's Office of Virginia.

A Pocket Formulary and Physician's Manual , by Thomas S. Powell, MD, 1855. The book has markings in the section on medical ethics. It is an example of books at this time for field medical reference. It contains recipes and instructions.

Daguerreotype and Photographs/repositories/3/archival_objects/511512Scope and Contents

This series contains a daguerreotype of Robert Carper in a wooden sided, bronze framed picture box. It has a bronze clasp and detailed woodworking on the box. There are also two photographs of the daguerreotype.

Lecture Tickets, Medical College of Virginia/repositories/3/archival_objects/51141859-186113Scope and Contents

Students purchased tickets to attend a professor's lectures as this was the common practice at medical schools in the 19th century. Each ticket admits Robert Carper to the lecture and is signed on the back by the instructor. The tickets include:

Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children, Dr James H. Conway, Professor, Session 1859/60 and Session 1860/61

Surgery and Surgical Anatomy, Dr. Charles Bell Gordon, Professor, Session 1859/60

Institutes of Medicine, Dr. L.S. Joynes, Professor, Session 1860/61

Lock of Carper's hair/repositories/3/archival_objects/511614Notebook /repositories/3/archival_objects/51191857-186615Scope and Contents

This notebook contains lecture notes written by Carper during his time at MCV. There is a passage commenting on exodus of southern medical students from Philadelphia in the wake of John Brown's execution in December 1859. It also includes family obituaries, pressed flowers, mementos, and notes written by Carper's brother and other family members after Carper's death.