Letters

File — Box: 15, Folder: 27

Scope and Contents note

From the Collection: Thermo-fax copy of letter dated 19 October 1958 to James H. Newman, executive vice-president University of Alabama, containing summary of Dr. Bonner's trip to England, during which he tried unsuccessfully to find the gravesite of British surgeon Sir James Paget (1814-99), in order to place a wreath containing, among other things, a Confederate flag, on it. His search took him to Westminister Abbey and St. Paul's, but to no avail, probably because Paget was interred in Finchley cemetery. As for why Bonner felt compelled to identify Paget with the Confederacy--during the short existence of which Paget was a surgeon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London--the only clue is that the wreath was also to contain "a card of thanks from my father for the privilege of reading his text-book on Physiology, while waiting in a Richmond, Virginia boarding house for General Lee to make preparations for his trip to Gettysburg." Bonner's letter is accompanied by a brief note dated 21 October 1958 from Newman, to W.S. Hoole, Director of Libraries at Alabama, to whom he forwarded Bonner's missive.

Dates

1958

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