The Beaumont Medical Club is pleased to announce an upcoming talk by Dr. Stanley Burns on Thursday, November 6 at 5:30 PM. The lecture will be held in in the Beaumont Room on the second floor of Sterling Hall of Medicine's Library Wing. Prior to the lecture, at 4:30 PM in the Medical Historical Library, there will be a special session featuring 19th and 20th century postmortem photography from the Burns Archive.
For over 50 years, Dr. Burns has dedicated himself to exhibiting, lecturing, and authoring works on the cultural practice of photographing deceased loved ones. He began collecting historic medical photographs in 1975 and started publishing his discoveries in 1977. Throughout his career, Dr. Burns has written more than 50 books, including three texts on memorial photography.
From 1978 to 2020, Dr. Burns curated numerous national and international exhibitions, enlightening the public on the practice and significance of memorial photography. His 1990 publication, "Sleeping Beauty: Memorial Photography in America," profoundly influenced artists, filmmakers, and curators for decades. His 1997 documentary, "Death in America," is an award-winning film that continues to serve as a teaching resource in classrooms across the nation. In 2023, Dr. Burns’ influence was recognized in a Spanish documentary that explored the significance of postmortem photography in hospital and bereavement care.
The Beaumont Medical Club invites everyone to attend this enlightening talk. Dr. Burns will delve into the history and applications of postmortem photography, from its origins in the 1840s to its use in contemporary hospital obstetrical and pediatric practices. This is a unique opportunity to learn about an extraordinary photography collection and gain insights into the historical and cultural dimensions of this practice. A reception with refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will follow the lecture. Free and open to all.
Dr. Burns is donating his extensive collection of postmortem and memorial photography to the Yale Medical School Library. This collection will be housed alongside his notable collection of medical photographs. Prior to the talk at 4:30 PM, the library will hold a special session in the Medical Historical Library, where photographs from his collection will be on display. Dr. Burns will be on-hand to talk about the images and answer questions.
The Beaumont Medical Club, named for William Beaumont, Connecticut physician and "father of gastric physiology", was founded in 1920 by a group of Yale University School of Medicine physicians and faculty members. The club was organized to promote the study of the history of medicine and to celebrate the contributions of physicians and medical scientists in promoting the welfare of mankind. From its inception, the Beaumont Medical Club has met several times a year in the Yale Historical Library to hear presentations by members and invited speakers. The club is still active and accepting new members.