Thomas Dent Mütter: the humble narrative of a surgeon, teacher, and curious collector.

Authors

Jennifer A. Baker, B.S., Thomas Jefferson University
Charles J. Yeo, MD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Pinckney J. Maxwell, IV, MD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Presentation Date

5-1-2011

Comments

This article was published in The American Surgeon Volume 77, Issue 5, May 2011, Pages 662-664.

The published version is available at PMID: 21679611. Copyright © Ingenta

Abstract

Thomas Dent Mutter, a beloved teacher, respected colleague, devoted husband, surgical pioneer, and legendary collector, emerged from a tragic childhood as an ambitious young physician who would leave a permanent imprint on medical education (Fig. 1). Dr. Mutter is best known in the Philadelphia area for the museum of medical curiosities, which bears his name. Overflowing with various medical memorabilia, anatomical and pathological specimens, casts, models, watercolors, and historical instruments, the Mutter Museum often overshadows the numerous other contributions Dr. Mutter made during his shortened life.1 A quote from Henry Brooks Adams is quite apropos, ‘‘A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.’’

Recommended Citation

Baker, B.S., Jennifer A.; Yeo, MD, Charles J.; and Maxwell, IV, MD, Pinckney J., "Thomas Dent Mütter: the humble narrative of a surgeon, teacher, and curious collector." (2011). Department of Surgery Gibbon Society Historical Profiles. Paper 31.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/gibbonsocietyprofiles/31