WHITE, J. William (1850-1916). American surgeon, teacher, author & athlete.
Autograph Letter Signed to C Ross Smith Jr, 1½ pages 8vo, 1810 South Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, 15 February 1912. An amusing letter to an autograph collector, sending also (sadly no longer present) autographs of John Sargent, Owen Wister, Agnes Repplier, Langdon Mitchell and Richard Harding Davis.

'... You must find out who these comparatively unimportant persons are. Later in the century they will no doubt be known best as friends of
Yours very sincerely,
J. William White'

The incredibly versatile Dr White was not only professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of the early use of X-ray, but also instigated the restarting of the Army Navy Game, and was instrumental in beautifying Rittenhouse Square, where there is a plaque to his memory.
[No: 24655]