Description
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Irene E. and Michael Karl Papers
Date(s)
- 1937-2006 (Creation)
Extent
5.8 cubic feet (6 boxes)
Name of creator
Biographical history
Irene E. Karl was born in 1915 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1937 with a bachelor's degree, the only woman in a class of 400. She then became the first woman to earn a doctorate in science from the University of Wisconsin in 1940.
From 1941 to 1943, Karl worked as a biochemist at Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She took 16 years off from her career to raise two daughters with her husband, Dr. Michael M. Karl, before resuming her work again in 1959 as a research assistant in preventative medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. In 1966, Karl became a research instructor for the Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Division of Internal Medicine, and in 1981, she became a research professor of medicine at Washington University.
Karl also served on the Committee on Admissions for the School of Medicine. She dedicated more than 50 years to identifying and understanding diabetes and sepsis, which is the leading cause of death in neonatal and surgical intensive-care units.
Name of creator
Biographical history
Michael M. Karl was born in 1915 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He received his MD from the University of Louisville in 1938, and the following year, he married Irene E. Karl, Ph.D., one of the first female biochemists in the United States.
Karl joined the faculty of Washington University's department of medicine in 1941, where he was widely viewed as an outstanding teacher. Karl was one of few general internists to become a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. He was a master of the American College of Physicians (ACP), governor of the ACP for the State of Missouri and received the ACP Laureate Award in 1988. President Jimmy Carter appointed Karl to the national advisory committee of the White House Conference on the Family from 1978-1980, where he was among the first to call for family leave protections for working parents.
Active in national health policy and medical education, Karl worked for the establishment of national health insurance for all people regardless of their capacity to pay. In St. Louis, he was the co-organizer of one of the first health services for the poor, the Jeff-Vander-Lou Medical Clinic.
The Karls were the first married couple at Washington University to be honored with a named professorship, which was set up in 1983 by gifts from friends and patients. The Michael and Irene Karl Lectureship, part of the Masters in Medicine series, also honors them.
Scope and content
Files containing documents and information compiled by and about Drs. Irene E. Karl (1915-2006) and Michael M. Karl (1915-2006). Correspondence, scientific papers and publications, documents concerning the Karl Lectureship, press releases and press coverage of the Karls' careers and achievements. A copy of the 28th ed of Manual of Medical Therapeutics (1995) inscribed and dedicated to Michael Karl (to be retained with collection as an artifact). The files and items were given as one collection, with no overall discernable order.
System of arrangement
Conditions governing access
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Users of the collection should read and abide by the Rights and Permissions guidelines at the Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives.
Users of the collection who wish to cite items from this collection, in whole or in part, in any form of publication must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Archives.
For detailed information regarding use of this collection, contact the Archives and Rare Book Department of the Becker Library (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Preferred Citation:
Item description, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Gift, Irene E. and Michael Karl Estate, c/o Terry Karl, PhD, September 6, 2007 (2008-007): FC159 (Irene E. Karl and Michael Karl papers): Files containing documents and information compiled by and about Drs. Irene E. Karl (1915-2006) and Michael M. Karl (1915-2006). Correspondence, scientific papers and publications, documents concerning the Karl Lectureship, press releases and press coverage of the Karls’ careers and achievements. A copy of the 28th ed of Manual of Medical Therapeutics (1995) inscribed and dedicated to Michael Karl (to be retained with collection as an artifact). The files and items were given as one collection, with no overall discernable order. 1940s-2006, 4 linear ft. Originally transferred to the Library along with items below in 10 cartons.
Gift, Irene E. and Michael Karl Estate, c/o Terry Karl, PhD, 12 October 2007, (2008-012): Irene E. and Michael Karl Papers: FC159 (Irene E. Karl and Michael Karl papers): Additional files containing documents and information compiled by and about Drs. Irene E. Karl (1915-2006) and Michael M. Karl (1915-2006), extending accession 2008-007. The contents of this accession were originally given to David M. Kipnis, MD for his review and possible use, he has now authorized their transfer to the Library.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Rules or conventions
"Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Second Edition (DACS), 2013."
Sources used
Archivist's note
© Copyright 2019 Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives. All rights reserved.
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Karl, Irene E. (Subject)
- Karl, Michael M. (Subject)