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University Libraries Special Collections

Geoffrey Furness, Ph.D. (1919-2006)
Papers, 1952 - 1985

In

UMDNJ Libraries Special Collections
George F. Smith Library of the Health Sciences
Newark, New Jersey
May 1985
Revised October 2004

Biography

Geoffrey Furness, Ph.D., was born August 2, 1919 in Blackburg, England. Shortly after entering college, he was inducted into the Royal Marines for the duration of WWII. Upon leaving the military, Dr. Furness returned to the University of Leeds where he received his BSc in 1948; in 1949 he received a Dipl Bact from the University of Manchester, and a PhD in microbiology in 1951.

From 1952 to 1954, Dr. Furness was a lecturer in microbiology at Trinity College, Dublin. Finding advancement at Trinity College slow and lacking a secure pension fund, he took a position as a Sir Alexander Flemming Fellow and Senior Scientist at the Wright-Flemming Institute in London, which he held until 1959. He was a Senior Scientist with the Medical Research Council London from 1959 to 1962. Dr. Furness served as the head of the Department of Virology of the Twyford Laboratories, Guinness Brewers from 1962 to 1966.

In 1966, Dr. Furness came to the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry, which had been founded the year before after the state purchased the Seton Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry for 4 million dollars, holding the rank of Professor of Microbiology in the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School until his retirement in 1985. In addition, Dr. Furness served as Secretary (1967-1970), Acting Chairman (1968-1970) and Chairman (1970-1971) of the UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

In 1971, recognizing the need for better representation of the faculty in University policy, Dr. Furness was instrumental in the founding of the New Jersey Medical School-Dental School Chapter of the American Association of University Professors. He served as the Governor of the Chapter from 1971 to 1982, Negotiator of CMDNJ-AAUP Agreements from 1972-1982, Chief Negotiator 1979-1981 and 1981-1983 Agreements, Administrator of the CMDNJ-AAUP Agreements for the NJMS-DS Chapter 1973-1977, Second Vice President for Contract Administration of the NJMS-DS Chapter 1977-1982, and member of the CMDNJ-AAUP Council-ex officio, 1979-1982.

Dr. Furness died on 11 August 2006.

Scope and Content Note

The Geoffrey Furness, PhD papers span the years 1952-1985 and consists of three series, occupying 6 linear inches (.5 linear feet).

The collection is very strong in the area of Dr. Furness' publications, containing reprints of almost all of his works.

At the time of transfer of these records, Dr. Furness also sent approximately 10 linear feet of records dealing with the AAUP and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Since these records are not personal but rather organizational, they were placed in separate record groups (RG/Q & RG/F).

There is also available an oral history interview conducted (June 1987) with Dr. Furness in which he recounts his observations on his nineteen years with the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School (Oral History accession number OH-85-01).

Series Description

Series 1: Curriculum Vitae, 1980-85, w/gaps.

A full length Curriculum Vitae prepared in 1980-1981, which list Dr. Furness' college activities in addition to his teaching responsibilities, education and bibliography. A second full length C.V. prepared in 1980-1981lists his college activities.
Quantity: Two items

Series 2: Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic, 1981-82.

Correspondence and draft concerning the setting up of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic as part of the Department of Pathology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.
Quantity: Two items

Series 3: Reprints, 1952-1985. Arranged chronologically.

PROVENANCE: Gift of Geoffrey Furness, PhD, March 22, 1985

Container List

For reference service and information contact:

Robert Vietrogoski
Special Collections
vietrora@umdnj.edu
(973) 972-7830
FAX (973) 972-7474

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