Faculty of Medicine Founders’ Archive

Health Sciences Library

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Dr. Cluny Macpherson fonds COLL-002

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TITLE: Dr. Cluny Macpherson fonds

DATES: 1881-1991; predominant 1908-1966

EXTENT: 50 cm of textual material -- 1 map -- 21 photographs

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Cluny Macpherson (1879 - 1966), physician and soldier, was born 18 March 1879 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, one of two sons (one brother, Harold) born to Campbell Macpherson and Emma Duder. He completed his early schooling at Methodist College in St. John’s and then continued his education at McGill University in Montréal. There, Macpherson earned his degree in Medicine (1897 - 1901), and at the same time volunteered with the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, of which the Newfoundland Branch came to be known as the Grenfell Mission. Upon graduation from McGill, Dr. Macpherson began his medical career at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

In the following year Dr. Macpherson returned to Newfoundland to join Dr. Wilfred Grenfell’s Labrador Mission, and was placed in charge of the hospital in Battle Harbour, Labrador. He also served as magistrate for the area. Dr. Macpherson remained there until 1904, when he returned to St. John’s to begin private practice. Dr. Macpherson also received government commissions during this time, such as in 1909 when he went to the southwest coast to fight a smallpox epidemic. Dr. Macpherson also continued his involvement with the International Grenfell Association (IGA), eventually serving as a director of both the IGA and the Grenfell Association, Newfoundland. He also played a key role in the development, structuring and operation of the Seamen’s Institute (later called the King George V Institute), another Grenfell project.

Dr. Macpherson was involved with the St. John Ambulance Association, which led to the creation of the St. John Ambulance Brigade with three divisions in St. John’s. When World War I broke out, members of the Ambulance Brigade enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment. Macpherson organized these people into an Ambulance Unit, which continued throughout the war. Macpherson himself enlisted on 21 September 1914, at the rank of captain (the same year that he became a director of the family business, The Royal Stores). He was appointed Principal Medical Officer, 1st Newfoundland Regiment, went overseas in March 1915 and later appointed Major on 7 August 1915. He served in France, Belgium, Egypt, Salonica and was eventually transferred to Gallipoli where he acted as an advisor on poisonous gas, which the Allies feared Germany was about to use there. He used a German helmet taken from a captured prisoner to fashion a canvas hood with transparent eyepieces that was treated with chlorine-absorbing chemicals. In doing so, he invented the gas mask, now used by millions of military troops around the world.

Following injury in Egypt, Macpherson returned to Newfoundland, October 1916, and served as Director of Medical Services for the Militia. He was appointed a member of the first War Office Committee on poisonous gases, and also director of medical services for Newfoundland during World War I. He was demobilized on 9 September 1919 at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

Dr. Macpherson played a continual role in the medical profession, in capacities such as President of the St. John’s Clinical Society and the Newfoundland Medical Association. He was vice-president of the Newfoundland St. John Ambulance Association in 1937, and later became assistant commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade overseas. He was Chairman of the Commissioners-In-Lunacy, which instituted periodic inspections and an appeal mechanism for patients at the Lunatic Asylum (now the Waterford Hospital). Dr. Macpherson was also the Registrar of the Newfoundland Medical Board. After Confederation with Canada (1949), he became a member of the Medical Council of Canada (1949 onwards) and from 1954 to 1955 he was the second Newfoundlander to serve as President, the first being the founder of the council itself, Sir Thomas Roddick, who was born in Harbour Grace in 1846. Dr. Macpherson was also Honorary President of the St. John Ambulance Association during World War II.

Cluny Macpherson received many honours and awards in his lifetime. He was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (1918); Honorary President of the Newfoundland Council of the St. John Ambulance (1953); Honorary Vice-President of the Newfoundland Council of Canadian Red Cross (1953); member of Medical Council of Canada (President 1954 - 1955); elected a Fellow of the British Royal College of Surgeons (1955); invested as a Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1955) (reclassification of Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, 1913); elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (14 January 1957); and was awarded an honorary degree by Memorial University (1962). He was also Honorary President of the Clan Macpherson Association of Canada and Honorary Vice-President of the parent association.

In 1902, Dr. Macpherson married Eleanora Barbara Thompson (O.B.E., Dame of Order of St. John of Jerusalem, died 1964), daughter of William Macleod Thompson, Northumberland County, Ontario. They had two children, Emma Allison (1903 - 1971) and Campbell Leonard (1907 - 1973, Lieutenant-Govenor, Newfoundland and Labrador, 1957 - 1963). Dr. Macpherson remained in St. John’s until his death on 16 November 1966.

CUSTODIAL HISTORY:

After Cluny Macpherson’s death in 1966, Dr. Ian Rusted retained his personal papers, medical records and office effects. The medical records and office effects were transferred to the Lillian Stevenson Nursing Archives and Museum, Dr. Leonard A. Miller Centre in St. John’s. Remaining material was kept in Dr. Rusted’s office at the Health Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland until he transferred them to the Faculty of Medicine Founders’ Archive in October of 1999.

SCOPE AND CONTENT:

Fonds consists of the personal and professional records created by Cluny Macpherson during his work in the medical profession and his involvement with a variety of individuals and organizations in Newfoundland and abroad. Fonds also includes publications relating to the life and activities of Dr. Macpherson. Fonds is arranged in the following series:

1.0 Correspondence and Miscellaneous Material, 1914-1991

2.0 Correspondence and Related Material, 1908-1966

3.0 Professional Activities, 1910-1966 (Contains restricted material)

4.0 Patient Records, 1956-1962 (Entire series is restricted)

5.0 Publications relating to Cluny Macpherson, [between1941 and 1943]-1991

6.0 Map and Photographs, 1932-1960

7.0 Notebooks and Photographs, 1881-[196?]

SOURCE OF TITLE:

Supplied title is based on contents of the fonds.

ACQUISITION:

The papers of Dr. Cluny Macpherson were donated to the Founders’ Archive by Dr. Ian Rusted, who had custody of the papers following Macpherson’s death in 1966. Dr. Rusted transferred the papers to the Founders’ Archive in October of 1999.

ARRANGEMENT:

When the papers of Dr. Cluny Macpherson arrived at the Founders’ Archive, there was some degree of order present. The files had been previously organized by Dr. Rusted. This formed the framework for further arrangement and description of the collection.

RESTRICTIONS:

Access to some of the material in this fonds is restricted. Such material is clearly marked in the finding aid and will not be available to researchers. For further instruction, contact the archivist.

TERMS GOVERNING USE AND REPRODUCTION:

Material in this fonds is protected by copyright. Copyright regulations state that any copy of archival material is to be used solely for research or private study. Any use of copied material for any other purpose may require the authorization of the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance from the copyright holder(s).

Copyright regulations require that records be kept of all copies made of materials deposited prior to 1 September 1999, and that these records may be viewed by the author of the material, the copyright owner, or representatives of either.

Copyright:

Copyright of the material in this fonds is held by the Faculty of Medicine Founders’ Archive.

ACCRUALS:

No further accruals are expected.

LOCATION:

Coll-002, Faculty of Medicine Founders’ Archive

FINDING AID AVAILABLE:

Faculty of Medicine Founders’ Archive finding aid # 002. File level control

ASSOCIATED MATERIAL:

Dr. Cluny Macpherson fonds, Lillian Stevenson Nursing Archives and Museum, Dr. Leonard A. Miller Centre

RELATED MATERIAL:

Faculty of Medicine Founders’ Archive, Dr. Ian Rusted fonds, COLL-001, file 15.04.009, series 19.0, and file 27.01.001

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SERIES AND SUB-SERIES LIST:

1.0	Correspondence and Miscellaneous Material, 1914-1991
	1.01	Correspondence concerning Dr. Cluny Macpherson, 1914-1991

2.0	Correspondence and Related Material, 1908-1966
	2.01	Robert “Paddy” Duder Correspondence, 1948-1966
	2.02	John Sparkes Correspondence, 1917-1964
	2.03	James Young Correspondence, 1908-1956
	2.04	St. John’s Municipal Council, 1913-1951
	2.05	Campbell Macpherson Correspondence, Re: Appointment as Lieutenant Governor, 1957-1958

3.0	Professional Activities, 1910-1966 (Contains restricted material)
	3.01	International Grenfell Association (IGA), 1910-1926
	3.02	King George V Seamen’s Institute, 1911-1959
	3.03	Medical Council of Canada, 1953-1956
	3.04	National Defence College, 1956-1957
	3.05	St. John Ambulance, 1910-1957
	3.06	Commissioners in Lunacy, 1931-1966 (Contains restricted material)

4.0	Patient Records, 1956-1962 (Entire Series is restricted)
	4.01	Miscellaneous Patient Files, 1956-1962 RESTRICTED

5.0	Publications relating to Cluny Macpherson, [between 1941 and 1943]-1991
	5.01	Publications relating to Cluny Macpherson, [between 1941 and 1943]-1991

6.0	Map and Photographs, 1932-1960
	6.01	Map, 1932
	6.02	Photographs, 1957-1960

7.0	Notebooks and Photographs, 1881-[196?]
	7.01	Notebook # 1, Dr. Cluny Macpherson, [190?-196?]
	7.02	Photographs in Notebook # 1, 1881-[19-]
	7.03	Notebook # 2, Dr. Cluny Machpherson, 1936-1961
	7.04	Photographs in Notebook # 2, 1914-[between 1942 and 1946]

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SERIES AND SUB-SERIES DESCRIPTION:

1.0	Correspondence and Miscellaneous Material, 1914-1991
	1.01	Correspondence and Miscellaneous Material, 1914-1991
	1.01.001	Correspondence, 7 April 1971 - 27 March 1991
	1.01.002	List of volumes from Newfoundland Medical Association Archives presented to Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, 1 May 1970
	1.01.003	Address to Rotary Club concerning Macpherson and Bell families. Address researched, written, and read by Ian Rusted, 22 August 1974
	1.01.004	List of office effects stored in Old Fever Hospital, (Stores Section) Forest Road, St. John’s (2 copies), 7 February 1979
	1.01.005	Cluny Macpherson’s nomination to become a member of Patriotic Commission of Newfoundland, 1914
	1.01.006	Biographical data concerning Cluny Macpherson collected by Ian Rusted
	1.01.007	Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts Manufactures and Commerce certificate of fellowship, London, England, 14 January 1957
	1.01.008	Member of the Order of the Good Time (Nova Scotia), [19-]
	1.01.009	Coat of Arms, 1956

2.0	Correspondence and Related Material, 1908-1966
	2.01	Robert “Paddy” Duder Correspondence, 1948-1966
	2.01.001	Correspondence to Duder, 7 July 1956 - 16 December 1962
	2.01.002	Correspondence from Duder, 31 May 1951 - 4 September 1966
	2.01.003	Newspaper articles re: Robert Duder
	2.01.004	Speech given by Robert Duder at a meeting of the Registrars of the Universities of Quebec and Ontario, 26 November 1956
	2.01.005	Postcard from Robert Duder, 6 July 1948
	2.02	John Sparkes Correspondence, 1917-1964
	2.02.001	Correspondence to Sparkes, 7 July 1956 - 16 December 1962
	2.02.002	Correspondence from Sparkes, 28 August 1917 – 18 May 1964
	2.02.003	Newspaper articles re: John Sparkes, 1949-1963
	2.02.004	Correspondence from and Biographical information on John Sparkes, 1958
	2.03	James Young Correspondence, 1908-1956
	2.03.001	Correspondence to Young, 23 January 1922 - 29 November 1955
	2.03.002	Correspondence from Young, 26 November 1908 - 11 May 1956
	2.03.003	Articles written by James Young, plus the Seventh Supplement to The London Gazette, 21 May 1918 - 6 October 1951
	2.03.004	Newspaper article in the Times re: James Young, 1943
	2.04	St. John’s Municipal Council, 1913-1951
	2.04.001	Correspondence to council, 26 September 1922 - 27 January 1951
	2.04.002	Receipt for horse and carriage taxes, 1 January 1917
	2.04.003	Permit to install oil burning units and gas tanks, 2 February 1951
	2.04.004	Handwritten notes regarding council activities, 1913
	2.04.005	Newspaper articles Re: St. John’s City Council from The Daily News, 1913
	2.04.006	“Regulations respecting stables, cow-sheds, etc., within the city,” [19-]
	2.04.007	City of St. John’s Appraisement of Property form, 14 October 1950
	2.05	Campbell Macpherson Correspondence, Re: Appointment as Lieutenant Governor, 1957-1958
	2.05.001	Correspondence, 1957
	2.05.002	Correspondence, 1958

3.0	Professional Activities, 1910-1966 (Contains restricted material)
	3.01	International Grenfell Association (IGA), 1910-1926
	3.01.001	Correspondence, 12 February 1910 - 8 March 1926
	3.01.002	IGA Institute Committee meeting minutes, 22 February & 22 April 1926
	3.02	King George V Seamen’s Institute, 1911-1959
	3.02.001	Correspondence, 3 June 1911 - 24 October 1958
	3.02.002	Balance Sheet and expenses (2 copies), 31 December 1919
	3.02.003	Profit and Loss Account for year ending 31 December 1919
	3.02.004	Superintendent’s Report on Operations for month of December 1919
	3.02.005	Trial Balance after closing December 31^st, 1919, 20 February 1920 Trial Balance as at 31^st December 1919
	3.02.006	Publicity pamphlet - King George V Seamen’s Institute, October 1913
	3.02.007	Newspaper articles Re: King George V Seamen’s Institute, 1913-1959
	3.03	Medical Council of Canada, 1953-1956
	3.03.001	Correspondence, 30 July 1953 - 10 August 1956
	3.04	National Defence College, 1956-1957
	3.04.001	Course X Administrative Bulletin No. 6, Overseas Tour, 1956-1957
	3.05	St. John Ambulance, 1910-1957
	3.05.001	Correspondence, 22 May 1913 - 23 January 1957
	3.05.002	St. John Ambulance biographical information on Dr. Macpherson, [between 1955 and 1965]
	3.05.003	Investiture procedures for Knights (2 copies)
	3.05.004	Appointment certificates, 7 May 1912 - 2 December 1913
	3.05.005	Honorary Life Membership certificate, 22 December 1910
	3.05.006	Newspaper articles Re: Cluny Macpherson and St. John Ambulance
	3.06	Commissioners in Lunacy, 1931-1966 (Contains restricted material)
	3.06.001	Correspondence, 20 November 1931 - 1 September 1966
	3.06.001a	Correspondence, 21 July 1958 – 27 September 1962 RESTRICTED
	3.06.002	Minutes of Meeting of Commissioners in Lunacy, Topsail Road branch, St. John’s, Newfoundland, 27 March 1963 RESTRICTED
	3.06.003	Hospital for Mental and Nervous Diseases Lunacy report for January 1957 and survey of resident population, 22 June 1961
	3.06.004	Pamphlet - Official opening of Carbonear Red Cross Community Hospital, 21 October 1957
	3.06.005	Newspaper article, Re: Mental Hospital, 4 September 1966
	3.06.006	Correspondence, 1 December 1957 - 22 February 1966 RESTRICTED
	3.06.007	Death certificates for mental patients, 1932-1965 RESTRICTED
	3.06.008	List of patients, 1957 RESTRICTED

4.0	Patient Records, 1956-1962 (Entire series is restricted)
	4.01	Miscellaneous Patient Files, 1956-1962 (Entire series is restricted)
	4.01.001	Patient records, notes, x-ray reports, 1956-1962 RESTRICTED

5.0	Publications relating to Cluny Macpherson, [1964-1991
	5.01	Publications relating to Cluny Macpherson, [between 1941 and 1943]-1991
	5.01.001	Excerpt from The Fighting Newfoundlander: A History of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, by Colonel G.W. Nicholson, 1964
	5.01.002	Newspaper article, “Macpherson’s Gas Mask Invention was Grace Under Wartime Pressure,” Sunday Telegram, 20 January 1991
	5.01.003	“In Retrospect” from Dalhousie Medical Journal, by T. Marrie. A report of an interview with Dr. Macpherson before his death in 1966, March 1967
	5.01.004	“A Bad Night in the Straits of Belle Isle,” by Cluny Macpherson (taken from his unpublished notebook, # 2), [between 1941 and 1943]
	5.01.005	“Labrador, 1890," Notes of lecture given by Dr. Ronald Rompkey, 6 March 1991

6.0	Map and Photographs, 1932-1960
	6.01	Map, 1932
	6.01.001	“Map of Saint John’s, Newfoundland from plans and actual surveys.” by W.P. Ryan, City Engineer, 1932. Map contains annotations and locations of various city buildings and sites.
	6.02	Photographs, 1957-1960
	6.02.001	Medical Council of Canada 1957-1960 (Cluny Macpherson and J.E. Josephson from Newfoundland) 1960 : b&w ; 13 x 27.5 cm ; no negative
	6.02.002	Harold Schlofield in front of Cleveland Museum of Art October 1957 : col. ; Polaroid ; 7.5 X 7.5 cm ; no negative
	6.02.003	Irene Schlofield in front of Cleveland Museum of Art October 1957 : col. ; Polaroid ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm ; no negative

7.0	Notebooks and Photographs, 1881-[196?]
	7.01	Notebook # 1, Dr. Cluny Macpherson, [190?-196?]
	7.01.001	Notebook # 1, Dr. Cluny Macpherson, [190?-196?]
	7.02	Photographs in Notebook # 1, 1881-[19-]
	7.02.001	Photograph, page 98A: Electric Telegraph Company Tarriff form photographed [19-] : b&w ; 9 x 12 cm ; no negative
	7.02.002-7.02.003	2 Photographs, page 99 [19-] : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm ; no negative
	7.02.004	Photograph, 146: “Vradd” Christmas Greetings: This is a small boat which crossed the Atlantic. Xmas, 1904, Pappa 1904 : b&w ; 10 x 7 cm ; no negative
	7.02.005	Photograph, page 344 1881 : b&w ; 15 x 10.5 cm ; no negative
	7.03	Notebook # 2, Dr. Cluny Macpherson, 1936-1961
	7.03.001	Notebook # 2, Dr. Cluny Macpherson, 1936-1961
	7.04	Photographs in Notebook # 2, 1914-[between 1942 and 1946]
	7.04.001-7.04.012	12 Photographs, page 84: Pictures taken from the roof of the Grace Hospital (full descriptions are given in the notebook, pp. 75-83; 85-90) [between 1942 and 1946] : b&w ; 7.5 x 10 cm ; no negatives
	7.04.013	Photograph, page 85: At Pleasantville Camp October 1914 : b&w ; 9.5 x 11.5 cm ; no negative

Arranged & Described by Greg Walsh, 31 October 1999

Updated by Stephanie Harlick, 27 July 2001, 26 May 2004, 25 May 2005