The Legacy of Dr. John P. McGovern: An Archival Expedition

by Tara Carron, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian.

In the sprawling city of Houston, one common thread binds together several attractions and major institutions—the name McGovern. From McGovern Lake to the McGovern Children’s Zoo, the McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science to the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and the McGovern Historical Center, it’s clear that Dr. John P. McGovern had a significant influence on this bustling metropolis. But the influence of Dr. McGovern extends far beyond that of Houston, Texas. I’d like to think that most Houstonians know who Dr. John P. McGovern was, or why his name is memorialized throughout the city. But for those who aren’t familiar with his legacy, and for those who want to know more, this blog’s for you.

Apart from being an internationally renowned physician, Dr. McGovern was a Houston-based pediatrician, allergist, immunologist, humanitarian, teacher, scholar, author, editor, historian, researcher, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He integrated the humanities into the art of medicine and believed that healthcare was a holistic pursuit of patient-centered care, compassion, and service. An Oslerian disciple and scholar, he co-founded the American Osler Society, and was even trained under a physician who had the privilege of studying under Sir William Osler himself. He donated tens of millions of dollars during his lifetime to medical research, education, and public health; held multiple faculty appointments (Baylor, UT Health, and M.D. Anderson, to name a few); received honorary doctoral degrees from 29 major colleges and universities; authored or co-authored 22 books and 247 publications; and served as the editor or member of editorial boards for more than 20 scientific journals.

Jack McGovern was truly one-of-a-kind, and we were lucky to have him.

As the new Archivist and Special Collections Librarian at the TMC Library and McGovern Historical Center, I am honored to have been entrusted with preserving and providing access to four archival collections related to McGovern’s life, distinguished career, and diverse interests. Of these four collections, the most extensive and significant include the John P. McGovern, MD Papers and the McGovern Rare Book Collection on the History of Medicine. The John P. McGovern, MD Collection of Texas Historical Medical Documents and the John P. McGovern Museum Health and Medical Sciences Collection are smaller in size but are just as noteworthy and unique as their counterparts. And much like the McGovern Rare Book Collection, they do a great job showcasing his historian/curator/collector side. Eventually, all four of these collections will be re-arranged and descriptively enhanced to improve discoverability and accessibility for users. Selected materials of particular interest will also be digitized, made available on our collection site, and promoted through online and physical exhibitions.

This is the first blog (the pilot episode, if you will) of many more that will grow into a special series dedicated to McGovern’s life and legacy. Updates and news (and other fun stuff!) pertaining to McGovern’s manuscript and rare book collections will be highlighted and featured on the Black Bag as the they are processed. So stay tuned; more to come soon!