Duncan C. Hetherington Papers, 1918-1975

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Summary

Creator:
Hetherington, Duncan Charteris, 1895-
Abstract:
Duncan Charteris Hetherington (1895-1974), earned his AB degree at Colorado College (1919) and a master's degree (1920) and PhD (1922) in parasitology from the University of Illinois. He received his MD from Johns Hopkins University (1926). From 1926 to 1930, Hetherington was a member of the Department of Anatomy at Vanderbilt University. In 1930, Hetherington joined the new Duke University School of Medicine as a professor of anatomy. He remained at Duke until his obligatory (by age) retirement in 1965. Types of materials include course sketches and other sketches, brain modelling packet, a photograph of Hetherington, and the "Memorials from the Proceedings of the Eighty-Eighth Meeting of the American Association of Anatomists" booklet. Materials date from 1918 to 1975.
Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet (1 half manuscript box)
Language:
English
Collection ID:
MC.0170

Background

Scope and content:

Types of materials include course sketches and other sketches, brain modelling packet, a photograph of Hetherington, and the "Memorials from the Proceedings of the Eighty-Eighth Meeting of the American Association of Anatomists" booklet. Materials date from 1918 to 1975.

Biographical / historical:

Duncan Charteris Hetherington was born on August 8, 1895 in Denver, Colorado, to Scottish parents. He earned his AB degree at Colorado College (1919) and a master's degree (1920) and PhD (1922) in parasitology from the University of Illinois. He received his MD from Johns Hopkins University (1926).
From 1926 to 1930, Hetherington was a member of the Department of Anatomy at Vanderbilt University. It was there he first became closely associated with Dr. Francis H. and Elizabeth Swett, and in September 1930, Hetherington joined the Swetts at the new Duke University School of Medicine as an associate professor of anatomy. In 1945, he became professor of anatomy, and, after the death of Dr. Swett, in 1943, he served as acting department chair for nearly a year.
At Duke, Hetherington was in charge of both micro- and neuroanatomy until 1947 when the department disciplines were separated; thereafter, he remained in charge of microanatomy. He remained at Duke until his obligatory (by age) retirement in 1965.
Hetherington's informal manner of teaching, wit, and colorful clothing made him popular with the first-year students from the mid-50s until his retirement. "Uncle Dunc Day" was celebrated annually toward the end of the microanatomy course. To be prepared for the "surprise" day, Hetherington kept a collection of colorful shirts and ties in his office in order to be able to change for the celebration where the class period was spent reading verse, telling stories, and bestowing gifts on Hetherington.
After retiring from Duke, Hetherington taught microanatomy at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for 2 years.
Hetherington's research interests lay mainly in the field of tissue culture at a time when this was a novel technique. He developed some supravital staining techniques, and he was concerned with cellular interrelationships within the reticuloendothelial system. Hetherington carried out early work in evaluation and preservation of medium constituents by freeze-drying in his laboratory.
Hetherington attended the Hershey Conference, which led to the creation of the Tissue Culture Commission. He was a member of the executive committee of the Commission, and, in 1950, when the Commission was renamed to the Tissue Culture Association (TCA), Hetherington was named Secretary-Treasurer; a position he kept until 1960. In 1952, he took over management of the TCA testing laboratory. In 1966, Hetherington was honored by a dedication to him of a volume of the publication of the TCA. Hetherington was also one of the charter members of the Cajal Club when it was founded in 1947.
Hetherington died in 1974.

Acquisition information:
Accession A2019.043 (gift by Janet Zucker, May 2019)
Processing information:

Processed by Lucy Waldrop: May 2019

Arrangement:
Organized into the following series: Records, 1918-1975.
Rules or conventions:
DACS

Subjects

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Personal Name(s):
Hetherington, Duncan Charteris, 1895-
Corporate Name(s):
Duke University. Medical Center
Duke University. School of Medicine
American Association of Anatomists
Topical Term(s):
Anatomy.

Contents

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Restrictions:

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Terms of access:

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Duncan C. Hetherington Papers, Duke University Medical Center Archives.