How many degrees are you planning on earning? Ever thought about combining two very different disciplines to get an M.D. and a Geology degree while becoming dean of college? Dr. William Page Harlow did just that!
Born November 14, 1867, he was involved in copper mining, but during a copper slump he entered into medical school and earned an M.D. degree at the University of Michigan in 1899.
In 1903 he moved to Boulder where he became Professor of Medical Diagnosis and Dean of the Medical School, University of Colorado, serving in dual capacity until he retired in 1915.
Dr. Harlow was instrumental in uniting the CU Medical School with the Denver & Gross Medical College and promoting the building of the CU Medical School in Denver. He never lost interest in mining and in 1907 he received a degree in geology from the University of Colorado. He helped develop calumet property in Arizona, maintained a large mineral collection, and tried to develop the radio-active properties in Springdale, Colorado. During World War I, Dr. Harlow served in various hospitals in the Medical Corps, and upon retirement was given the rank of colonel. Then he accepted commission on the United States Reserve Corps and organized the Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona medicalmen. Dr, William Harlow died at the age of 57 in 1924. These images are from his lecture notes during med school (1896-1899).
The University of Colorado Boulder Libraries will celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Archives on June 6, 2018. This is story #70 in our series: 100 Stories for 100 Years from the Archives!