| Dates: | 1963-1991, undated |
| Size: | 1 linear foot |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, 9525 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois 60628 |
|
Collection Number: |
2001/05 |
| Provenance: | Donated by Dr. Agnes Lattimer in 2001 |
| Access: | No restrictions |
| Citation: |
When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Agnes Lattimer Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
| Processed by: | Elizabeth Loch, Archival Specialist, April 2021 |
Biographical Note
Agnes Lattimer was born in 1928 and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, she attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennesee, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Lattimer had a cousin in Chicago and began her studies in 1950 at Chicago Medical School, now part of Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago. She was the only African-American student and one of only two women.
Lattimer completed her residency in pediatrics at Michael Reese, becoming chief resident in her final year. She also began teaching at her alma mater, Chicago Medical School. She directed ambulatory pediatrics at Michael Reese. In 1971, she was appointed chair of the division of ambulatory pediatrics at Cook County. She became director of what was then the Fantus Health Center of Cook County in 1984 and became medical director of Cook County Hospital in 1986. Lattimer was the first woman and the first of African-American heritage to become medical director. She retired from Cook County Hospital in 1995.
Lattimer was married twice; first to the artist Bernard Goss which ended in divorce. She then married Frank Bethel in 1971. Goss died several years later. Lattimer had a son, Bernard Goss Jr., who died in 1996. The longtime Hyde Park neighborhood resident died of cancer at her home on January 9th, 2018 at the age of 89.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of four manuscripts and seven photographs documenting Dr. Agnes Lattimore’s professional career as a pediatrician and director of Cook County Hospital. Of note is a photograph of Dr. Lattimer with Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer and Cook County Commissioner Samuel Vaughan. The manuscripts include newspaper clippings, a Provident Hospital anniversary booklet, Dr. Lattimer’s resume, and a letter from Samuel Vaughan.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series by type of material; Series 1: Manuscripts, 1963-1991, undated and Series 2: Photographs, 1988-1991, undated. Items are arranged alphabetically by title.
Related Materials
Related materials at the Chicago Public Library include:
Container List
Series 1: Manuscripts, 1963-1991, undated
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Newspaper clippings on Dr. Agnes Lattimer, 1963-1991, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Provident Hospital’s 95th anniversary booklet, 1986 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Resume of Dr. Agnes D. Lattimer, circa 1988 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Samuel G. Vaughan [Cook County Commissioner] letter to Dr. Agnes Lattimer, 1988 December 23 |
Series 2: Photographs, 1988-1991, undated
| Box 1 | Photo 001 | Dr. Agnes Lattimer at Cook County Hospital, undated |
| Box 1 | Photo 002 | Dr. Agnes Lattimer [pictured far right] and Dr. Effie Ellis [pictured center with pearls] with a group of people at Cook County Hospital, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Photo 003 | Dr. Agnes Lattimer with Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer and Samuel G. Vaughan [Cook County Commissioner] visiting the pediatric wards at Cook County Hospital, 1988 December 22 |
| Box 1 | Photo 004 | Dr. Effie Ellis [pictured right] and Dr. Agnes Lattimer [pictured left] at Cook County Hospital, undated |
| Box 1 | Photo 005 | Dr. Henry Matthews at his retirement party, undated |
| Box 1 | Photo 006 | Dr. Henry Matthews with Dr. Agnes Lattimer at his retirement party, undated |
| Box 1 | Photo 007 | Neonatology infant unit picnic [Dr. Agnes Lattimer pictured far left], 1991 |
