First edition hardcover book titled 'Harvey Cushing: A Biography' by John F. Fulton, published by Charles C. Thomas in 1946, with original dust jacket

This biography chronicles the life of Harvey Cushing (1869–1939), the pioneering American neurosurgeon who revolutionized brain surgery and won the Pulitzer Prize for his biography of Sir William Osler. Published in 1946 by Charles C. Thomas in Springfield, Illinois, this first edition was written by John F. Fulton, a distinguished Yale physiologist and medical historian who was a close colleague of Cushing. The book represents an important primary source on one of medicine's most influential figures during the early development of neurosurgery as a specialized field. This biography appeals to collectors of medical history, bibliophiles specializing in first editions of significant biographical works, and institutions with collections focused on the history of surgery and American medicine. Medical professionals, particularly neurosurgeons, value such works for their historical and educational significance. The presence of the original dust jacket significantly enhances the value and desirability for serious book collectors, as dust jackets from this era are often lost or damaged. The 1946 first edition with intact dust jacket holds particular appeal because it was published shortly after Cushing's death, offering contemporary perspectives and firsthand accounts from colleagues who knew him personally.