Archival correspondence regarding the origin of the Harvey Cushing Society: the American Association of Neurological Surgeons

Abstract

Behind the scenes in the origin of the Harvey Cushing Society, now known as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, there were many interesting political factors occurring, which appeared in correspondence and were preserved and later forwarded by William P. Van Wagenen to the Harvey Cushing Section of the Yale Medical Library. This correspondence, circa 1931, provides an interesting account of the aspirations of young neurosurgeons who wished to gain societal status, without offending the giants of the Society of Neurological Surgeons.

Cross-sectional examination of current and future trends and attributes of the presidents of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons societies

“…On October 10, 1931, a group of neurosurgeons, namely R. Glenwood Spurling, Van Wagenen, Eustace Semmes, and Temple Fay, met at the Hotel Raleigh in Washington, D.C., and laid out the ground rules of establishing the Harvey Cushing Society, which later became the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). 1 Many neurosurgeons at the time felt that the existing Society of Neurological Surgeons was overly exclusive, prompting this initiative. 1 After the blessing of Dr. Cushing, the society held its first meeting in Boston on May 6, 1932.…”

“… 1 Many neurosurgeons at the time felt that the existing Society of Neurological Surgeons was overly exclusive, prompting this initiative. 1 After the blessing of Dr. Cushing, the society held its first meeting in Boston on May 6, 1932. The society elected William P. Van Wagenen as the first president and committed to electing a new president annually.…”

“…The society elected William P. Van Wagenen as the first president and committed to electing a new president annually. 1 , 2 …”

Harvey Cushing's Meningiomas text and the historical origin of resectability criteria for the anterior one third of the superior sagittal sinus

“…6,24,30,34 Never before in a newly forming surgical discipline, and possibly never since, has one person had so much direct influence on a whole lineage of academic progeny. 10,13,20,24,31,33 Cushing' s social genius was therefore his ability to foster and cultivate such a rich legacy that ensured his position at the center of the social academic web.…”