Finding Aid: C. Ward Crampton Papers

              SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE
ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
MANUSCRIPT NUMBER
MS 510
C. WARD CRAMPTON PAPERS
1920-1952
Written by
Rebecca Overton, November 2012
Shelf space occupied 2 linear feet
Number of boxes 5 boxes C. Ward Crampton Papers Page 2
Archives and Special Collections
ABSTRACT
This collection focuses on the professional career of Charles Ward Crampton (1877-1964). Crampton was a physician, medical researcher, and teacher during the early 20th century. His major contributions to the medical field include work with geriatrics and gerontology, adolescent hygiene and physical fitness, posture, and blood pressure and circulatory systems. Crampton also contributed to the Boy Scouts of America as a column writer for Boys’ Life magazine. Crampton served as chairman for many committees within the medical community and even founded an association himself. He became a strong advocate for preventative medicine and the maintenance of a personal medical record by individuals. The breadth of this collection encompasses his publications within the field in many of the different subject areas listed above. One can encounter hand written notes and papers, typed and printed manuscripts, correspondence, memorabilia through newspaper clippings describing his accomplishments, and photographs for his own research purposes. Highlights of this collection feature original photographs of Lou Gehrig used for a Boys’ Life article as well as evidence of Crampton’s involvement with the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions of 1928.
ORGANIZATION
The collection is organized into 3 series, with the first series organized into 5 subseries:
1. Professional Career
1a. Miscellaneous professional documents 1b. Research and publications 1c. The Byrd Antarctic Expedition 1d. Committee proceedings 1e. Public lectures 1f. Printed materials 2. Personal medical files 3.Private papers
ARRANGEMENT
The collection was pre-processed in 2009. The person who did this work left an outlined box list as well as some basic information about the nature of the original arrangement of the collection. The processor notes that materials were in envelopes stacked inside of boxes. The processor proceeded to take materials out of these envelopes and place them into archival folders following the exact order of the envelope they were removed from. The processor labeled the archival folders if there was any label found on the envelopes. From further processing and arrangement of this collection, it was noticed that the labels matched what was in the folder. Where possible the original phrasing of the labels was kept in hopes of protecting original provenance. Since the materials within the folders were clearly organized by the category or theme of the work, no new arrangement was made. In some folders, one might find written materials by other authors. These were not pulled out or added to the subseries for printed materials because they were found within the order of a specific topic’s folder/section of the collection, and it was believed that the placement added pertinent information to the materials around them. If a certain folder physically had too much material in it, the folder was broken into two, or sometimes three separate folders (for preservation purposes) while following the original order of the materials. Specific series arrangement will be explained below.
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INFORMATION ON USE OF THE COLLECTION
TERMS OF ACCESS AND USE
The collection is unrestricted, except the specific folders noted.
PREFERERRED CITATION
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information (in addition to any other information required by the citation style being used):
C. Ward Crampton Papers, series title, box #, folder #, Archives and Special Collections, Springfield College, Springfield, Mass.
HISTORY OF COLLECTION
Acquisition Source and Date Unknown. However, a library’s plating was found on two bound composition books in series 1a.
Accession Date: unknown
Accession Number: unknown
Processing: Original box list created and collection pre-processed, April 2009. Collection arranged and finding aid created by Rebecca Overton, November 2012.
RELATED MATERIALS
In Archives and Special Collections, Springfield College, Springfield, Mass:
Applied Ideals in Work with Boys 1910 by C. Ward Crampton, Winfield S. Hall and others
Pedagogy of Physical Training: with special reference to formal exercises 1922 by C. Ward Crampton
Personal health… 1940 by C. Ward Crampton
Physical exercise for daily use 1924 by C. Ward Crampton
School tactics and maze running 1916 by C. Ward Crampton, Emanuel Haug, Montague Gammon, ed. By Luther Halsey Gulick Children’s games and rules for playing. Comp. by Jessie H. Bancroft
School tactics and maze running 1905 by C. Ward Crampton, M.D., Emaniel Haug, Montague Gammon; ed. Luther Halsey Gulick
Folk dance book: for elementary schools, classroom, playground, and gymnasium 1909 Compiled by C. Ward Crampton
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Folk-dance music: a collection of seventy-six characteristic dances of the people of various nations: adapted for use in schools and playgrounds for physical education and play 1908 Selected and compiles by Elizabeth Burchenal and C. Ward Crampton
Second folk dance book 1916 Compiled by C. Ward Crampton
SEARCH TERMS AND SUBJECTS
The following terms represent persons, organizations, and topics documented in this collection.
Crampton, C. Ward (Charles Ward), 1877-1964
Byrd Antarctic Expedition
Boy Scouts of America
Boy’s life
Camp Fire Girls
Posture
Physical Fitness
Exercise
Geriatrics
Health Records, Personal
Blood Pressure
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Archives and Special Collections
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Charles Ward Crampton was born on May 26th, 1877 in New York City. He attended the College of the City of New York, New York University, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1900. It did not take long for this young physician to begin contributing to the medical field. Crampton devoted a large part of his professional career as a doctor to research and development within many different aspects of medicine. His primary focus was to be an active contributor to public service, much like the work of his father, Henry E. Crampton, M.D. He conducted most of his medical research in the field of geriatrics and gerontology, growth and development of adolescents, physical fitness and hygiene in the public school systems, preventative medicine, and personal medical records. He was a major in the U.S Army Medical Reserve and during World War I he acted as Special Adviser to the U.S Army Department of the East. He played an important role as a writer for the Boy Scout’s magazine, Boys’ Life with a column titled “Keeping Physically Fit” from 1934 to 1937. In addition to conducting research for the medical field, Crampton kept his own private medical practice in New York City, and sat as chairman on many committees in which he held expertise on the particular subjects. As a mentor, Crampton was an instructor at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and an assistant professor of Medicine at Columbia University.
In the area of school physical fitness and hygiene Crampton contributed to the growth and development of many school programs. He directed the erection of gymnasiums and athletic fields, instructed 22,000 teachers in health matters (including new ideas for courses of study), and organized the subdivision of Educational Hygiene. It is because of his work within the public school systems of New York City that helped to prepare students and teachers during the influenza epidemic in the early 1900s.
In the area of blood pressure and circulatory system research, Crampton created what is called today, “the Crampton Test”. This is a test for physical condition and resistance in which one’s pulse and blood pressure are recorded both in the resting and standing positions. This test is also sometimes referred to as the Crampton Test for Fatal Shock because of the results that the test may yield for potential shock after surgery. This test was also used in the Aviation Department and the U.S Navy.
As a leader within the medical community, Crampton was the chairman of the committee on physical fitness through the Federal Security Agency in the 1940s, the chairman of the committee on the health of adolescents, a section on health education, the welfare council in the 1930s, and the chairman for the sub-committee on Geriatrics and Gerontology through the medical society of New York County in the later 1940s to early 1950s.
In addition to these committees, he was also the founder and president of the Aristogenic Association in the 1930s in New York City. Aristogenics is defined by Crampton as such: “While Eugenics and Kakogenics are generally understood to refer respectively to consideration of good and evil in the sphere of Genetics, Aristogenics refers to the best.” In essence, this committee sought out men who held estimable qualities to be examined and recorded as the solution for the prolongation of the human race. These men were often leaders, as racial survival, according to this association, depended upon good leadership. These qualities were recorded for C. Ward Crampton Papers Page 6
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future scientists to take the information and help prolong the lives of people with these characteristics, as well as transmit these qualities onto future generations of people.
In the area of Geriatrics and Gerontology Crampton devoted his research and work to helping the elderly maintain a degree of physical fitness in order to prolong their lives. He focused on developing prevention of chronic illness and postponement of deterioration through personal examinations, medical research, and constructive care. He also focused on more effective treatments of disease and disability in age and brought efforts forward towards de-aging or rehabilitation and restoration. Crampton’s persuasive thoughts on preventative medicine and keeping an up to date personal medical record tie in well with his contributions towards these goals within this area of medicine.
His research on the important links between posture and health relate also to his work within the public school health and physical fitness area of advocacy. He explains with photographs in many articles what correct posture looks like and what bad posture looks like. He also seeks to find better ways of measuring good and bad posture amongst subjects. He also proposes many suggestions on how to treat poor posture and help people to feel better by correcting their posture.
In 1928, Crampton was working at the Health Service Clinic of the Post Graduate Medical School in New York. As physician, he had the unique opportunity of examining the men who were to participate in Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic expedition. He did a thorough analysis of each individual to make sure that they were able to complete the strenuous journey.
In direct relation to Springfield College, Crampton’s work involving dance was discussed in a Calisthenics class from the 1910-1911 school years. He also gave a lecture during the school year of 1911-1912 titled, “Some Phases of Physical Training in New York City.” There is evidence in the college catalogues of professors using his published work in their classes from at least 1907 up until 1926.
Crampton’s role as a leader, mentor, and professional writer are all demonstrated within his articles for Boys’ life. The series of articles written by Crampton make up the heart of this collection. Between the years of 1934 and 1937 boy scouts from all over the country wrote in to ask Crampton questions about any topic in the realm of physical fitness. Some articles include advice on diet, exercises and stretches, strategies and techniques within various sporting games, and questions about growth and development. Crampton’s vast knowledge of adolescent life and health contribute to the success of this article. Crampton’s work with the Boy Scouts of America, eventually led to him receiving the Silver Buffalo Award, the Boy Scout’s Highest award for distinguished service to youth, in 1941.
Charles Ward Crampton died in 1964.
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SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
Most of the materials found in this collection pertain to Crampton’s professional career as a doctor, author, and researcher. The collection includes hand written and typed manuscripts, both published and unpublished. There are also hand written notes and brainstorming ideas based on his work with the Department of Education. Correspondence between Crampton and other professionals within the field of medicine can be found throughout the collection, with the bulk of correspondence in series 2: Personal medical files. Crampton served on many committees throughout the medical field having to do with his areas of particular expertise. There are some committee minutes as well as notes on the committees’ goals and other proceedings. These can be found in series 1: Professional career, Subseries c: Committee proceedings. There are also other printed materials and books written by other people within the collection. These quite possibly could have been used by Crampton as reference sources. The collection has a fairly extensive array of photographs that were used by Crampton in his research and publications. Most notably these pictures can be seen within the Boys’ Life magazine in which he headed an article from 1934 to 1937. There is also a collection of these articles and other newspaper columns that are represented either written by Crampton, or contain reviews about his research and publications. There is also a series for personal papers in which there can be found hints of biographical information. Throughout the collection, one will note that Crampton has handwritten notes in the margins and signed his initials (C.W.C). It almost seems as if later in his life he went back over his accomplishments within this collection and made notes as to why they were important or what he used them for.
Crampton’s work as the author of the “Keeping Physically Fit” article in Boys’ Life magazine (associated with the Boy Scouts of America) is heavily represented in this collection. In his article from the May 1937 issue, Crampton assesses Lou Gehrig’s swing. Original photographs of Lou Gehrig used in this article can be found in Box 1, Folder 11 of this collection. His studies and publications on posture are also heavily represented within the collection and contain original photographs of subjects (persons used to represent the idea he was conveying). The bulk of this information ranges from the 1910s through the 1930s. His work with the Department of Education and Physical Fitness also makes up a large portion of this collection expanding from the 1920s and the 1930s. Perhaps Crampton’s most extensive studies and expertise can be seen from his work with geriatrics and gerontology. This piece of the collection also takes up a large portion (4 folders) of series 1a and seems to span his entire professional career (1920 – 1950). The biggest claim to fame in this collection comes from Crampton’s work with the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. In August of 1928 at the Health Service Clinic of the Post Graduate Medical School in New York, Crampton examined the men who were to participate in Admiral Byrd’s expedition. Sadly, there is not a lot of material in this collection pertaining to the actual exams. There is however, a copy of a letter from Admiral Byrd thanking Crampton for examining his crew. Throughout the collection one can note Crampton’s extreme persuasion towards the necessity of keeping a regular medical record of oneself. He also was an advocate of preventative care. A good example of this belief can be found in the evidence within his personal medical record. Biographical information can be found in series 3 in which there is a typed record of all of his professional accomplishments written in 1933 and another from 1946.
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SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
SERIES 1: Professional career, 1910-1954 (bulk 1931-1953)
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This series contains information regarding all of Crampton’s professional career work. The subseries fit the content of information found within the materials. Materials contain speeches that Crampton made at the various committees in which he participated, publications relating to his areas of expertise such as geriatrics and gerontology, posture, blood pressure, the circulatory system, and physical education for children in the school system. Original photographs pertaining to his article “Keeping Physically Fit” in Boys’ Life magazine can be found in the content areas of posture, military training camps, and the study of the swing using Lou Gehrig as a subject. Various correspondences can be found throughout this series between Crampton and publishers, editors, and fellow doctors or researchers within the field. Charts and graphs can be seen in association with research that was conducted. Drawings can be found, mostly relating the Crampton’s signature or trademark used to identify his work in the Boys’ Life magazine. Various printed materials in relation to the subjects represented within the collection can be found. Committee proceedings from Crampton’s participation in such organizations as the Aristogenic Association, Committee on Physical Fitness, and the Committee on Geriatrics and Gerontology are located in a subseries as well.
SERIES 1a: Miscellaneous professional documents
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This subseries is a very small section of series 1. It includes a medical pad from his private medical practice as a physician in New York City as well as some printed exercises used at the Post Graduate Hospital.
SERIES 1b: Research and publications
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This subseries contains articles and papers written by Crampton; some published and unpublished pieces can be found. A bulk of the articles come from the Boys’ Life magazine column “Keeping Physically Fit” in which Crampton answered children’s letters of inquiry about physical fitness and hygiene. The topics represented within this series contain Crampton’s work on Posture, a review and order form for his 1937 book, “The Boy’s Book of Strength”, school physical fitness and hygiene, blood pressure and the circulatory system, physiological age, the Camp Fire Girls, geriatrics and gerontology, preventative medicine, and the personal health record. There are photographs within this subseries, correspondence, speeches and lectures, and other printed materials. Original photographs of Lou Gehrig can be found as a part of the Boys’ Life magazine photographs used in publication (folder 11). This article analyzes Gehrig’s swing.
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SERIES 1c: The Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1928-1933
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This is a small subseries, only comprising one folder. Crampton examined every man partaking in this expedition in order to make certain that they were fit for the journey. The folder contains a copy of a thank you letter from Admiral Byrd, a Christmas card from Admiral Byrd’s wife, Marie, and a blank personnel medical record which may be the form that Crampton would have filled out for every man partaking on this expedition. There are also handwritten notes on the back of this record.
SERIES 1d: Committee proceedings, 1930 – 1952 (bulk 1930s)
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This subseries represents information about the various committees that Crampton participated in or headed. Crampton at one time was the chairman of the National Committee on Physical Fitness (1940s). Within this folder there is information on a national plan for America that the committee was trying to organize. Crampton was also the president of the Aristogenic Association in the 1930s. This association originated in New York City and their constitution is in this folder. There is also a plan to create a biological hall of fame, handwritten notes, a memorandum, and some correspondence. Crampton was also the chairman of a local Committee on the Health of Adolescents in the 1930s. In this folder there are meeting minutes, correspondence, and handwritten notes. Crampton also was the chairman for the sub-committee on Geriatrics and Gerontology through the New York Medical Society in the later 1940s to early 1950s. In this folder there are meeting minute and a copy of a speech given by Crampton.
SERIES 1e: Public lectures, 1913-1942
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This subseries contains information about public lectures that were given by Crampton. Included in this folder are a speech with hand written notes by Crampton that was incorporated into his book “Physical Exercise”, a radio address over W.I.N.S (William Hearst’s International News Station) airing in the New York Metropolitan area, in relation to the Camp Fire Girls (1936), an address at the annual meeting of the girls’ branch, public schools athletic league (1915), and an address given at the Eastern Region Physical Directors Conference in 1942 about Military values.
SERIES 1f: Printed Materials, 1912-1949
ARRANGEMENT
The materials in this collection were found in their own separate individual folders. Most of the materials are books and other bound pamphlets. They were organized into the different content areas in which they covered and separated into those categories. Each of the categories was given their own folder/folders.
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SCOPE AND CONTENT
This series expands five folders within the collection. The folders are broken down into the theme of the publications, with one folder containing miscellaneous printed materials. It was common then and even sometimes today for authors and researchers to hand out copies of their publications to their friends and family in order to spread the word of their success. It may be that these miscellaneous printed materials were given to Crampton by someone within the medical field whom he may have been close to. The first folder contains material on the Boy Scouts of America from the 1930s. Included in this folder are: a “Scouting for Catholics” manual (1939), a program from the Grand National Convocation (1937), a booklet published by the Boy Scouts of America in the form of a handbook (1911 copyright), and an issue of Scouting magazine (1935). The next folder contains information about school physical fitness in the 1930s. Included are: a 1935 Physical Education Syllabus and a Health Work and Physical Education Bulletin (1932) from the United States Department of the Interior Office of Education. There are six publications pertaining to posture including publications by the U.S Department of Labor – Children’s Bureau and the U.S Treasury Department Public Health Service. There are also military manuals from 1941 pertaining to physical training and physiological aspects of flying and maintenance of physical fitness.
SERIES 2: Personal Medical Files, 1924 – 1950
ARRANGEMENT
This series is comprised of three folders. The contents of Crampton’s medical records were not in any particular order. The materials were re-arranged and ordered chronologically.
ACCESS
Restricted – Archivist approval only
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Crampton was an advocate for preventative care and keeping personal records of health. Evidence of this is shown in the extent of his own personal medical file. He makes sure to have routine medical examinations and keep track of his own health record. Most exams took place in New York City Included within this medical file are dental x-ray exams (1924 and 1925) and x-rays of his cervical spine and left shoulder (1949). There is evidence of some experimental drugs Crampton wanted to try himself, such as Neo Cultol for colon problems and A.C.S (antireticular cytotoxic serum) for prolongation of life. There is a large amount of correspondence between Crampton and other doctors who were treating him or advising him on his own health. This list includes: George Baehr M.D, Herman Lande M.D, H.M Imboden M.D, Edward Frankel, Jr. M.D, Duncan Macpherson M.D, Henry Peleuse de Forest M.D, Roger H. Dennett M.D, Ernest F. Kerby M.D, Foster Kennedy M.D, Frederick M. Allen, M.D, Walter Gay Lough M.D, S.S Oppenheimer M.D, Robert S. Goodhart M.D, Louis F. Bishop M.D, and Stanhope Bayne-Jones M.D all from New York City.
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SERIES 3: Private Papers
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This series is comprised of five folders. They include awards and recognitions received by Crampton, two greeting cards, prayer services written by Crampton, and two folders encompassing occasional biographical historical pictures. This last title was on the original envelope found by the initial processor. Included in this series are newspaper clippings that mention Crampton and his work in the professional field of medicine, photographs of him, and an “outline of record” (something of a resume) from 1933. Also included is an interesting packet of Crampton’s exercises along with stage commands which could have been the beginning process of putting his exercises on film or television.
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Folder List
C. WARD CRAMPTON PAPERS
Series 1: Professional Career, 1910-1954 (bulk 1931-1953)
Sub-series 1a: Miscellaneous professional documents
BOX
FOLDER
CONTENTS
DATE
DIGITAL
1
1
Private medical Practice
n.d.
1
2
Post Graduate Hospital Exercises
n.d.
Series 1: Professional Career, 1910-1954 (bulk 1931-1953)
Sub-series 1b: Research and Publications
BOX
FOLDER
CONTENTS
DATE
DIGITAL
1
3
Misc. Publications
1930-1940
1
4
Publications and unpublished research articles: Military fitness programs, boys’ life, girls’ branch, And exercises for girls
1910-1941
1
5
“The Boys Book of Strength”
1937
1
6
Posture (folder 1 of 3)
1939
1
7
Posture photographs (folder 2 of 3)
1930-1940
1
8
Posture (folder 3 of 3)
1913-1940
1
9
Boys’ life
1934-1942
1
10
Boys’ life- Keeping Physically Fit (folder 1 of 2)
1934-1935
1
11
Boys’ life- Keeping Physically Fit (folder 2 of 2)
1936-1937
1
12
Keeping Physically Fit article photographs
1934-1937
1
13
Keeping Physically Fit scrapbook
1934-1937
1
14
List of Dr. Crampton’s Athletic and Keeping Physically Fit Material (bound) (folder 1 of 3)
1934-1941
2
1
List of Dr. Crampton’s Athletic and Keeping Physically Fit Material (bound book #2) (folder 2 of 3)
1934-1941
2
2
List of Dr. Crampton’s Athletic and Keeping Physically Fit Material (folder 3 of 3)
1940-1950
2
3
Boys’ Life: Skillability (folder 1 of 2)
1940-1950
2
4
Boys’ Life: Skillability (folder 2 of 2)
1940-1950
2
5
Boys’ Life: Military, West Point
1942
2
6
School physical fitness and hygiene (folder 1 of 4)
1890-1949
2
7
School physical fitness and hygiene (folder 2 of 4)
1920, 1943
2
8
School physical fitness and hygiene (folder 3 of 4)
1930?
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2
9
School physical fitness and hygiene (folder 4 of 4)
1910-1938
2
10
Blood Pressure and the Circulatory System
1930-1940
2
11
Camp Fire Girls
1930-1940
2
12
Physiological age
1908-1949
3
1
Geriatrics and gerontology (folder 1 of 5)
1920-1954
3
2
Geriatrics and gerontology (folder 2 of 5)
1920-1954
3
3
Geriatrics and gerontology (folder 3 of 5)
1922-1952
3
4
Geriatrics and gerontology (folder 4 of 5)
1920-1954
3
5
This Week magazine (folder 5 of 5)
1955
3
6
Preventative medicine
1937-1953
3
7
“Personal health record”
1929-1953
Series 1: Professional Career, 1910-1954 (bulk 1931-1953)
Sub-series 1c: The Byrd Antarctic Expedition
3
8
Byrd Antarctic Expedition
1928-1933
Series 1: Professional Career, 1910-1954 (bulk 1931-1953)
Sub-series 1d: Committee Proceedings
3
9
Committee on Physical Fitness
1940-1950
3
10
Aristogenic Association
1930-1940
3
11
Committee on Health of Adolescents
1930-1940
3
12
Sub-committee on Geriatrics and Gerontology
1949-1952
Series 1: Professional Career, 1910-1954 (bulk 1931-1953)
Sub-series 1e: Public lectures
4
1
Public lectures
1913-1942
Series 1: Professional Career, 1910-1954 (bulk 1931-1953)
Sub-series 1f: Printed Materials
4
2
Boy Scouts of America
1930-1940
4
3
School physical fitness
1930-1940
4
4
Other printed materials
1912-1949
4
5
Posture
1926-1941
4
6
Military Manuals
1941
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Series 2: Personal Medical Files
4
7
Personal Medical Files (folder 1 of 3)
1924-1940
5
1
Personal Medical Files (folder 2 of 3)
1941-1947
5
2
Personal Medical Files (folder 3 of 3)
1949-1950
Series 3: Private Papers
5
3
Awards and Recognition
1880-1890
5
4
Greeting Cards
n.d.
5
5
Prayer Services
n.d
5
6
Occasional biographical historical pictures (folder 1 of 2)
1920-1950
5
7
Occasional biographical historical pictures (folder 2 of 2)
1920-1950