Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Inventory of the J. B. Girard Papers, 1861-1918
Consult repository
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: J. B. Girard Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1861-1918
Creator:
Girard, J. B.
Extent: 2 boxes
Repository: The
Huntington Library
San Marino, California 91108
Note:
This collection contains 120 semi-catalogued items in two boxes, spanning the period 1861
to 1918 (there is one newspaper clipping from 1963).
Language:
English.
Collection is open to qualified researches by prior application through the Reader
Services Department. For more information please go to following
URL .
In order to quote from, publish, or reproduce any of the manuscripts or visual materials,
researchers must obtain formal permission from the office of the Library Director. In
most instances, permission is given by the Huntington as owner of the physical property
rights only, and researchers must also obtain permission from the holder of the literary
rights In some instances, the Huntington owns the literary rights, as well as the
physical property rights. Researchers may contact the appropriate curator for further
information.
[Identification of item], J. B. Girard Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
This collection was purchased from Colonel Girard's granddaughter, Ms. Jane Hemphill, in
January 1989. Also purchased were 84 drawings and watercolors by J. B. Girard, kept in
the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery of American Art at the Huntington. For the drawings and
watercolors of J. B. Girard that are owned by the Huntington Library, please see attached
list.
Joseph Basil (J. B.) Girard emigrated from France to the United States in 1861, at the
age of fifteen. In 1867 he graduated as a doctor of medicine from the University of
Michigan; in that same year he received an appointment to the United States Army Medical
Corps in which he served until his retirement in 1910 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel
and assistant surgeon general. He married Louise Oury in 1875; they had three children,
Agnes, Louise, and Laura. Girard was stationed at several army posts throughout his
military career. He served in Arizona, Wyoming, Missouri, Hawaii, Nebraska, Georgia, and
Washington State. He also served as Chief Surgeon for the Division of the Philippines
from 1904-1906 and for the Department of Texas from 1907-1910. He was a member of the
Scientific Society of San Antonio and the Arizona Pioneers Historical Society. He was
also a skilled amateur artist who produced many pencil sketches and watercolors
throughout his life. These sketches and paintings often included western landscapes and
scenes of army life at military posts. Girard's work also contains several sketches he
did while traveling through Europe. After retirement, J. B. Girard remained in San
Antonio where he died in 1918.
The collection includes Girard's diaries, certificates, military appointments, travel
orders, sketchbooks, photographs, passports and newspaper clippings. The sketchbooks
contain sketches of western landscapes and European landscapes. The photographs in the
collection are of J. B. Girard, his family, and family friends.
There are eight diaries in the collection, which span the years 1900-1907. The diaries
detail the Girard family and their day-to-day activities, including visits with friends
and the extensive traveling they did moving to and from military posts. The diaries also
give detailed accounts of Girard's military duties including inspections of hospitals at
several military posts in the mid-West. The diaries often discuss Girard's failing
health, his depression after his wife's death and his increasing unhappiness with his
life and his service in the U. S. Army. In the memoranda section in the last pages of the
1903-1907 diaries, there is information concerning bonds Girard purchased throughout the
years. These diaries also include several addresses of Girard's family members and
acquaintances.