Archives & Special Collections, Columbia University Health Sciences Library
Maynard C. Wheeler Papers
WHEELER, MAYNARD C., 1903-1979.
Maynard C. Wheeler papers, 1903-1981.
1.12 cubic feet (4 boxes and 2 folders)
#M-0200
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Ophthalmologist. Maynard C. Wheeler was born in 1903 in Fargo, N.D.
to Dr. Ernest and Anita Funk Wheeler. His father, a physician specializing in ear, nose and
throat aliments, soon relocated the family to Tacoma, WA where Wheeler attended the local
schools. He did a post-graduate high school year at Phillips Exeter in 1920-21 and then attended
Dartmouth College, 1921-1924. Deciding upon medicine as a career he transferred to Stanford,
graduating in the pre-medical program in 1926. He transferred to the Columbia University
College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1927 where he received his medical degree in 1929. In
1938 he was awarded the Doctor of Medical Science degree from Columbia.
After an internship at New York City’s French Hospital in 1929-30, Wheeler served a residency
in ophthalmology at Presbyterian Hospital’s Eye Institute, part of the Columbia-Presbyterian
Medical Center, from 1930 to 1933. He remained at the Medical Center for his entire career
becoming Attending Ophthalmologist in 1951 and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at
Columbia in 1952. Wheeler was Chief of the Eye Clinic at the Eye Institute, 1946-62.
Wheeler served as Secretary-Treasurer, 1948-1960, and President, 1964, of the American
Ophthalmological Society. He was the author of The American Ophthalmological Society: The
First Hundred Years (1964); The Eye Institute in New York: An Intimate History (1969); and
Ocular Motility (1970).
Wheeler married Martha Boynton in 1929; they had two children. He died April 24, 1979 in
Waterbury, CT.
SCOPE AND CONTENT: Correspondence, biographical materials, financial records, memorabilia,
reprints, certificates, diplomas, and photographs documenting the life and career of Maynard C.
Wheeler.
The bulk of the papers consists of letters to his parents, 1911, 1920-1949, largely while he was a
student at Exeter, Dartmouth, Stanford, and the Columbia University College of Physicians and
Surgeons, but also covering his years as an intern at French and Presbyterian Hospitals, 1929-
1933. There is also correspondence relating to his education and professional activities, 1926-
1948, and his publications.
Of special interest is material connected to his role as ophthalmologist to Herbert Hoover.
Included are letters, medical records, an oral history Wheeler gave to the Hoover Presidential
Library, and material connected to Wheeler’s stay at Bohemian Grove in 1960 as Hoover’s
guest.
In addition, there are letters and printed material Wheeler collected to aid him in writing The Eye
Institute in New York, and photographs of him, his family and various academic and professional
activities.
LANGUAGE: English.
ACCESS: Because the material in Box 3, folder 3 includes Confidential Health Information (CHI)
as defined by Columbia University policies governing data security and privacy, access is
allowed only under the terms of Archives and Special Collections’ Access Policy to Records
Containing Confidential Health Information.
REMOVALS: A copy Maynard Cattron Wheeler, M.D., 1903-1979: The Life of a New York City
Ophthalmologist by his son, Maynard B. Wheeler, has been cataloged and added to Archives &
Special Collections’ M-Collection.
PROVENANCE: Gift of his son, Maynard B. Wheeler, M.D., 2014 (acc. #2014.006), 2018 (acc.
#2018.003)
Subjects
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964.
Wheeler, Maynard C., 1903-1979.
Columbia University. College of Physicians and Surgeons – Students.
Columbia University. Department of Ophthalmology – History.
Eye Institute – New York (State) – New York – History.
French Hospital (New York, N.Y.)
Institute of Ophthalmology (Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center) – History.
Dartmouth College – Students.
Stanford University – Students.
Medical students – United States – 20
th
century.
Ophthalmology.
Ophthalmologists.
Certificates.
Diplomas.
Ledgers.
Photographs.
Papers largely processed by the donor; some additional work done, and the finding aid written, by Stephen Novak,
2014; updated by Stephen Novak, 2018.
Maynard C. Wheeler
Papers, 1903-1981
Box Fo.
1 1 Autobiographical: synopsis of his diary, 1921-1976; family information
2 Newspaper and magazine clippings re M.C. Wheeler, Dr. John M. Wheeler, and
the Eye Institute, 1931, 1979
3 Childhood: Letters, report cards, programs, 1909-1927
Correspondence
4 Re: The Eye Institute in New York, 1970-1976
5 Re: Ocular Motility, 1970
6 Letters from friends, 1925-1977
7 Letters to grandparents, 1910-1917
8 Letters to his parents in Europe, 1911
To parents
9 1920-1921 [Exeter]
10 Fall 1921-Spring 1923 [Dartmouth]
11 Fall 1923 [Dartmouth]
12 Winter-Spring 1924 [Dartmouth]
13 Sept.-Oct. 1924 [Stanford]
14 April-June 1927 [Stanford Medical]
15 Oct.-Dec. 1927 [College of Physicians & Surgeons]
16 Jan.-Feb. 1928 [P&S]
17 March-April 1928 [P&S]
18 Sept.-Oct. 1928 [P&S]
2 1 Nov.-Dec. 1928 [P&S]
2 Jan.-March 1929 [P&S]
3 Apr.-May 1929 [P&S]
4 June-July 1929 [marriage; internship at French Hospital]
5 Aug.-Sept. 1929 [French Hospital]
6 Oct.-Dec. 1929 [French Hospital]
7 1930 [French Hospital]
8 1931-1936 [Eye Institute]
9 1937 [Eye Institute; first child]
10 Summer 1938 [trip to Europe]
11 1940-1949
12 From parents, ca.1928-1931
From sister, Anita
13 1928-29
Box Fo.
2 14 1926, 1929, 1940s-1970s
Professional/Education
15 1926-1930
16 Nov. 1930-Dec. 1931
17 Jan.-June 1932
18 1936-1948
19 Professional appointments, 1949-1968
20 Herbert Hoover: correspondence, medical records, funeral,
Wheeler oral history, 1951-1970
21 Herbert Hoover: his guest at Bohemian Grove, 1960
22 Diary, European trip, summer 1938
23 Documents: birth certificate, marriage license, diplomas, passport, 1903-1979
3 1 Documents: death certificate, obituaries, etc., 1979
2 Documents: estate, donations, 1979-1981
3 Medical records, including autopsy report, 1979
4 Ledger, 1919, 1927-1931
5 Financial documents, 1933, 1970-1972
Memorabilia
6 American Ophthalmological Society: Annual meeting, 1964
7 Medical clubs and organizations, 1928-1965
8 Non-medical clubs and organizations, 1921-1971
9 Dartmouth College, 1924-1925, 1950
10 Medical practice, 1930s-1970s
11 Professional publications (correspondence), 1937-1954
12 Professional publications (correspondence, programs, etc.), 1930s-60s
13 Publications, The Eye Institute in New York: reminiscences of early
faculty, printed material, etc., 1930s-1960s
14 Publications, Ocular Motility: copy of work, proof sheets, correspondence,
reviews, 1970-1972
15 Sheet music, signed/inscribed, ca. 1940s
Photographs
16 Wheeler, Maynard C.: portraits, early family photographs, 1904-1970s
17 Snapshots: mostly family, 1920s-1950s
18 Group portraits: Exeter, Stanford, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center,
1920s-1950s
19 Group portraits: professional meetings, 1930s-1960s
Box Fo.
3 20 Group portraits: Eye Institute, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center,
1930s
21 Bohemian Grove, 1960
Reprints
4 1 1928-1949
2 1953-1972
Diplomas, Certificates and Awards: In Oversize Materials (25” x 21”)
1 9 Diploma, Stadium High School (Tacoma, WA), 1920
Diploma, Phillips Exeter, 1921
Membership certificate, Society of Sigma Xi, Stanford University, 1928
Diploma, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, 1929
Internship certificate, French Hospital, New York, NY, 1930
Internship certificate, Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, 1932
Residency certificate, Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, 1933
Membership certificate, Medical Society of the County of New York, 1934
Membership certificate, New York Academy of Medicine, 1936
Diploma, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Columbia University, 1938
Certificate of service, Selective Service System, ca.1946? (with signature of
Harry S. Truman)
10 Membership certificate, Western Club, Phillips Exeter, [1921]
Membership certificate, orchestra & glee club, Phillips Exeter, 1921
Certificate of admission, Dartmouth College, 1921
Membership certificate, Phi Delta Theta, Dartmouth College, 1922
Membership certificate, Nu Sigma Nu, 1926
Certificate as Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners, 1930
Medical license, New York State, 1931 (with copy dated 1933)
Fellowship certificate, American Academy of Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology,
1935
Certificate, American Board of Ophthalmology, 1935
Certificate, appointment, Medical Advisory Board of Selective Service System,
1941
Certificate of appreciation for service in US Selective Service System, undated
but with signature of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Certificate of Service on Medical Advisory Board, US Selective Service System,
1947
Box Fo.
1 10 Twenty-five Year Club, Presbyterian Hospital, 1956
Certificate of attendance, IV Congress, Pan American Ophthalmology/National
Society to Prevent Blindness, 1957
Medical license, Connecticut, 1973
Certificate, Emeritus status, American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology,
1976
