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History of Medicine
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2024 4:09 PM

Welcome!

Welcome to the Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection!

The Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection was established in 1972. The collection was named in 1985 for Robert L. Brown, MD, former Associate Dean of the School of Medicine, in recognition of his strong support of the Abbott Library for more than twenty-five years.

Our collection includes historical materials in all areas of the health sciences, including dentistry, medicine nursing, pharmacy, & public health. In addition, the collection contains materials related to the history of UB's Medical School, UB's School of Dentistry, and medical practitioners in the Buffalo area. 

This guide aims to assist those doing history of medicine research and highlight the information available at the History of Medicine Collection.

Virtual Tour

Above is a 360 image of our main reading room. Below is a view of our second public space, the Buffalo Academy Room.

Part of the University at Buffalo, a public institution, the Robert L. Brown Collection is open to all. If in the Buffalo area, please consider visiting our space!   

About Us

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Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection 
B5 Abbott Library, South Campus
716-829-5737
historyofmedicine@buffalo.edu

Click here for our current hours.

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Guide created by Lara Herzellah. Edited by Keith Mages 1/03/2022

Curator, Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection

Historic Anatomic Models in 3D!

Anatomical models represent an important component of medical education. With a 4000-year history, medicine has utilized metals, wax, papier-mâché, and plastic to represent the human body for educational purposes. Before dissection became more widely available, before detailed illustrations and photographs were developed, and long before computerized 3-dimensional (3D) renderings appeared, anatomical models provided individuals with a stable, safe, and accurate method of anatomical study.

Thanks to the efforts of the University Libraries' Immersive Experences Group, many of our anatomical models have been digitized in 3D and made available online. To view the entire digitized collection, visit our site on Sketchfab: https://sketchfab.com/ublibraries