John Shaw Billings

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John Shaw Billings (April 12, 1838 – March 11, 1913) was an American librarian, surgeon, and bibliographer. He is best known for his work in organizing and developing the National Library of Medicine and for his contributions to the field of medical informatics.

Early Life and Education

John Shaw Billings was born in Switzerland County, Indiana. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he graduated in 1857. He then went on to study medicine at the Medical College of Ohio, earning his medical degree in 1860.

Civil War Service

During the American Civil War, Billings served as a surgeon in the Union Army. He was involved in the establishment and management of military hospitals and played a significant role in the development of medical record-keeping systems.

Contributions to Medical Libraries

After the war, Billings was appointed to the Surgeon General's Office in Washington, D.C., where he was tasked with organizing the library. Under his leadership, the library grew significantly and eventually became the National Library of Medicine. Billings was instrumental in the creation of the Index Medicus, a comprehensive index of medical journal articles, which laid the groundwork for modern medical databases.

Architectural Contributions

Billings also had a significant impact on the design of medical facilities. He was involved in the planning and construction of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, which became a model for modern hospital design.

Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Billings continued to work in the field of medical informatics and library science. He was a founding member of the American Library Association and served as the first director of the New York Public Library.

John Shaw Billings passed away on March 11, 1913, in New York City. His contributions to medical libraries and informatics have had a lasting impact on the field.

See Also

• National Library of Medicine
• Index Medicus
• Johns Hopkins Hospital
• American Library Association
• Medical informatics