• Home
• Resources & Collections
• Services & Information
• Education & Technology
• Research Assistance
• About the Library
• WU Med. Center

Search Becker Site:

 

Max A. Goldstein Papers

Historical Note

Max A. Goldstein (1870-1941) was born in St. Louis and received his medical degree in 1892 from the Missouri Medical College, a precursor institution to Washington University School of Medicine. After an internship at St. Louis City Hospital, Dr. Goldstein traveled to Berlin, Strasbourg, London and Vienna as part of a grand tour to complete his medical training. His interest in otology, a new and promising field, led him to the internationally renowned Vienna Polyclinic to study with Dr. Adam Politzer (1835-1920), “father of modern otology.” While in Vienna, Dr. Goldstein heard a series of lectures presented by Dr. Victor Urbantschitsch (1847-1921), a proponent of aural training for congenitally deaf children, and observed how deaf children could be taught speech by using acoustic training methods to stimulate dormant auditory senses.

Dr. Goldstein returned to St. Louis in 1895 to establish his medical practice. Within a year, Goldstein was appointed chair of Otology at Beaumont Medical College, an appointment that continued until 1912. In 1896 Goldstein founded a new medical journal, The Laryngoscope; he served as its editor from its first issue until his death in 1941. At the behest of Dr. Victor Urbantschitsch, Goldstein began teaching a class of sixteen girls at the St. Joseph’s Institute for the Deaf using the Urbantschitsch acoustic training methods and provided instruction for teachers on how to apply these methods. These teaching sessions for deaf children and teachers of the deaf led to the idea of establishing an institute for the deaf in which an effective cooperation between teachers, otologists, and other specialties would develop. In 1914, Dr. Goldstein founded Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) in the rooms above his medical office. The first class consisted of four children and within two years construction began on a new separate school building.

By 1930, CID expanded to include a clinic for rehabilitation of deaf adults and research laboratories where scientists were recruited world-wide to study deafness. The teacher training program was affiliated with Washington University in 1931, the first deaf education program in the country affiliated with a university. Dr. Goldstein was made professor of research otology and speech pathology at Washington University that same year. He remained director of CID and professor until his death in 1941. By the time of Goldstein’s death, CID had established an international reputation, with an enrollment of 300 students from the U.S. and several foreign countries.

Dr. Goldstein was also an avid collector of mechanical hearing devices including the first models of commercially made devices. The CID-Goldstein Historic Devices for Hearing Collection contains over 400 hearing devices dating from 1796 and represents one of the largest collections in the world. Associated with the collection is archival material dating from the 19th century including patents, photographic prints, catalog illustrations, advertisements, and related ephemera. In addition to collecting hearing devices, Dr. Goldstein collected rare books dealing with communication and disorders of the ear, nose and throat. The CID-Goldstein Collection in Speech and Hearing contains over 700 rare books on the fields of otology, deaf education and speech defects. Both collections are housed at Bernard Becker Medical Library.

Among his many achievements was the founding of The Society of Progressive Oral Advocates in 1918, an organization devoted to oral education of the deaf, and serving as editor of Oralism and Auralism, its official publication. He also founded the St. Louis League of Hard of Hearing, now known as the St. Louis Hearing-Speech Center. Dr. Goldstein was awarded the Gold Medal by the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society in recognition of his work in the education of the deafened child, the St. Louis Award for his great contributions to humanity, and an honorary LLD degree from Washington University.

Dr. Goldstein passed away in July 1941 at the age of 71.

Provenance

Series 1-5 and 7 were gifts of CID in 1977, 1980, 1983 and 2004. Two letters by Helen Keller were a gift of Tom Wolff, MAG’s grandson, in 2004. See individual series notes for details.

Access and use

The papers are open and accessible for research. Manuscripts and other documents of a faculty member, mainly in English, but with some German and French language texts and materials. The Library holds copyright. For assistance, contact the Archives and Rare Book Section (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Scope and Content

Series 1 and 2 of the Max A. Goldstein papers include lecture notes and travel diaries, 1892-1894, the manuscript for his The Acoustic Method for the Training of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child (1939), other manuscripts, reprints of articles, and pamphlets. Series 3 is notes from acoustical instrument catalogs, and Series 5 is a notebook on pathological anatomy and other subjects. Series 4 relates to MAG’s purchase of antiquarian books that today form the CID-Max A. Goldstein Collection in Speech and Hearing. Series 6 consists of two letters by Helen Keller. Series 7 is MAG’s English language paraphrase of a German article, “Die Sprache des Kindes,” by Ernst Tappolet. Series 8 consists of one letter by C.G. Goodwin.

Related Material

An oral history interview with Leonore Goldstein, wife of Max A. Goldstein, is available as part of the Washington University School of Medicine Oral History Project. The audio recording and transcript of the interview are available at http://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/oral/interviews/goldstein.html.

Organization of the Collection (Series List)

Series 1: Manuscripts of notes and writings, 1892-1941, Box 1, Reel 1.

Series 2: Reprints of publications, 1895-1910, Box 1.

Series 3: Notes from acoustical instrument catalogs, 1879-1906, Box 2.

Series 4: Antiquarian book purchases, 1892-1935, Box 2.

Series 5: Notebook on pathological anatomy and other subjects, 1892-1894, Box 2, Reel 1.

Series 6: Helen Keller letters, 1936, 1939, Box 2.

Series 7: Partial English paraphrase of “The speech of the child,” 1907, by Ernst Tappolet, Box 2.

Series 8: Goodwin letter, 1933, Box 2.

Container List

Series 1: Manuscript Notes and Writings, 1892-1941

This series consists of examples of MAG’s writings together with some works by his professors and colleagues that he chose to retain in his personal files. The items range from notes and drafts to finished reprints of articles. They were the gift of CID in 1977 (Accession 77-022). Box 1. Reel 1.

Box 1

Reel 1

• Germany, general observations, 1893-1894, 1:1.
  • The text of an informal essay that was likely intended for publication.
• Narrative sketches, Berlin, n.d., 1:2.
• Notes, Berlin, n.d., 1:3.
• On Jewish charitable institutions in Germany; incomplete fragments of notes from Strasbourg, n.d., 1:4.
• Citations to journal articles, n.d., 1:5.
• Notes, Berlin, 1892-1893, 1:6.
• Notes, Berlin, ca. 1893, 1:7.
• Notes, laboratory, Berlin, ca. 1893, 1:8.
• Notes, lectures by Bernhard Frankel (?), Berlin, ca. 1983, 1:9.
• Notes, lectures by Victor Urbantschitsch, Vienna, ca. 1893-1894, 1:10.
• Notes, lectures by Wilhelm Waldeyer, Berlin, ca. 1893, 1:11.
• Notes, lectures on histology, Wilhelm Waldeyer, Berlin, ca. 1893, 1:12.
• How to teach and study anatomy, translation of an address by Wilhelm Waldeyer, Berlin, ca. 1893, 1:13.
• A system of vocal training of the auditory nerve, by Urbantschitch, Vienna, ca. 1893-1894, 1:14.
• Neurological examination of cranial nerves, Brain Abscess, by Eagleton, New York, 1922, 1:15.
• President’s address, 6th meeting, Society of Progressive Oral Advocates, June 19, 1923, 1:16.
• The defective child, n.d., 1:17.
• A recently devised artificial larynx, June 19, 1941, 1:18.
• Forward, Acoustic Method, 1939, 1:19.
• Introduction, n.d., 1:20.
• History of deaf education, n.d., 1:21.
• Evolution of the acoustic method, n.d., 1:22.
• Chapter fragment, n.d., 1:23.
• Therapy of the tympanic mucous membrane, 1899, 1:24.
• The physiology of voice production, 1900, 1:25.
• Ear complications and sequelae of influenza, 1902, 1:26.
• The physician and the deaf child, 1910, 1:27.
• The laryngoscope, 1911, 1:28.
• The deaf child, 1914, 1:29.
• The education of the deaf, 1915, 1:30.
• Psychological study of the deaf child, 1916, 1:31.
• The society of progressive oral advocates: its origin and purpose, 1917, 1:32.
• Present status of the teaching of the deaf, 1919, 1:33.
• An acoustic method for training the deaf, 1921, 1:34.
• The deafened child, his handicaps and their correction, 1923, 1:35.
• The classification of deafness … functional tests and pedagogy, 1923, 1:36.
• The potentialities of the audiometer, 1925, 1:37.
• The acoustic method and its evolution, 1926, 1:38.
• Deaf mutism, incomplete, n.d., 1:39.
• Central Institute for the Deaf, mock-up for pamphlet, n.d., 1:40.
• Speech without hearing, pamphlet, n.d., 1:41.

Back to Series List

Series 2: Reprints of Publications, 1895-1910

One bound volume. The inscription on the spine reads “Monographs … 1895-1910 … MAG …” Twenty of the articles, or over half of the contents, considering that several are published in more than one journal, appeared in The Laryngoscope, which MAG himself edited and published. A typewritten alphabetical contents list is clipped to the first flyleaf. It should also be noted that (in the custom of the time) most of the reprints were repaginated as separate pamphlets, rather than typeset with the consecutive page numbers of the journal issues. They were the gift of CID in 1977 (Accession 77-022). Box 1. Not microfilmed.

Box 1

Volume 1

Back to Series List

Series 3: Notes from Acoustical Instrument Catalogs, 1879-1906

This series can be considered a significant body of evidence concerning MAG’s interests in assembling his antique hearing device collection, part of the Visual Collections of the Becker Library. The series was a gift of CID in 1983 (Accession 84-056). Box 2. Not microfilmed.

Box 2

• Audiphones, 1879-1880, 2:1.
• The evolution of hearing aids, n.d., 2:2.
• Hawksley, T., catalogue of acoustical instruments, 1883, 2:3.
• The micro-telephone as a listening apparatus (lecture transcription?), Ferdinand Alt, 1906, 2:4.
• Miscellaneous notes, n.d., 2:5.
• Multiple sound receptor (T. Hawksley), n.d., 2:6.
• Paraboloid hearing cup, n.d., 2:7.

Back to Series List

Series 4: Antiquarian Book Purchases, 1892-1935

Files related to MAG’s purchase of antiquarian books that today form the CID-Max A. Goldstein Collection in Speech and Hearing were added to the papers following the gift of the collection to Washington University School of Medicine Library in 1977. The series was acquired in 1980, but were never formally accessioned for the archives because they were at the time judged more appropriate for a working series of the Rare Book Librarian’s office. Box 2. Not microfilmed.

Box 2

• Atkinson, R., 1929, 2:8.
• Bader, P. L., 1921, 2:9.
• Boulange, Ch., 1925, 2:10.
• Fock, Gustav, 1926-1927, 2:11.
• Gregory, George, Bookstore, 1927, 2:12.
• Goldschmidt, E. P., and Company, 1925, 2:13.
• Gilhofer and Ranschburge, 1924, 2:14.
• Hanberg and Company, 1892, 2:15.
• Heffer, W., and Son, 1926-1932, 2:16.
• Hirschwaldsche, 1922, 2:17.
• Heuschmann, Heinrich, 1931, 2:18.
• Hoeber, Paul, 1931, 2:19.
• Lang, C., 1924, 2:20.
• L’Art Ancien S. A., 1924, 2:21.
• Legrand, Amedee, 1923, 2:22.
• Lier, R. and Company, 1926-1935, 2:23.
• Lists of books, n.d., 2:24.
• Login, B., and Son, 1928, 2:25.
• Lorentz, Alfred, 1920-1927, 2:26.
• Lowdermilk, W. H. and Company, 1928, 2:27.
• Maggs Brothers, 1920-1935, 2:28.
• McIndee, N. E., 1928, 2:29.
• Merzbacher, Eugen, 1932, 2:30.
• Myers and Company, 1932, 2:31.
• Nourry, Emile, 1932, 2:32.
• Olscht, Leo S., 1928, 2:33.
• Quaritch, Bernard, 1928-1932, 2:34.
• Rappaport, C. E., 1929, 2:35.
• Rimell, James and Son, 1924, 2:36.
• Sawyer, Charles J., Ltd., 1920-1921, 2:37.
• Slatkine, M., 1928, 2:38.
• Smith, George D., 1920, 2:39.
• Speyer and Peters, 1921, 2:40.
• Springer, Julius, 1931, 2:41.
• Taeuber and Well, 1928, 2:42.
• Voynich, Wilfred, 1924-1925, 2:43.
• Weg, Max, 1928, 2:44.
• Weyhe, E., 1919, 2:45.
• Wheldon and Webley, Ltd., n.d., 2:46.

Back to Series List

Series 5: Notebook on Pathological Anatomy and Other Subjects, 1892-1894

Handwritten notes, mostly in German but with portions in English. The notes were compiled during Goldstein’s European study tour, 1892-1894, but precise information concerning where they were written is missing. The item is in the form of a single notebook with cover boards but missing the string that once held it together. Accession 84-056. Box 2. Reel 1.

Box 2

Reel 1 (filmed between folders 12 and 13 of Series 1)

• Notebook on pathological anatomy, 1892-1894, 2:47.

Back to Series List

Series 6: Helen Keller Letters, 1936, 1939

Gift of MAG’s grandson, Tom Wolff, St. Louis, April 28, 1995. Accession 95-034. Box 2. Not microfilmed.

Box 2

• Helen Keller to MAG, 11 February 1936 (LS) and 7 October 1939 (photocopy). 2:48.

Back to Series List

Series 7: Partial English Paraphrase of the Speech of the Child, 1907, by Ernst Tappolet

The original by Tappolet(1870-1939), Die Sprache des Kindes, bears a subtitle that can be translated, “Address delivered in the auditorium of the Museum at Basel.” The item, paginated 81-96, was probably a reprint of a not fully cited journal article published in Basel in 1907. Goldstein’s text is an undated pencil draft on loose notepaper that begins as an exact translation of Tappolet’s piece (but with many passages omitted) and ends as a partial paraphrase with notes from other works on the subject. The series was part of a transfer of administrative files from CID in 2004 (Accession 2004-008). Box 2. Not microfilmed.

Box 2

• Partial English paraphrase of The speech of the child, 1907, by E. Tappolet, together with the original reprint, Die Sprache des Kindes, 2:49.

Back to Series List

Series 8: Goodwin Letter, 1933.

Box 2

• Goodwin, C. G., to MAG. Note recommending review of Intelligible Speech, by G. S. Haycock (1933) in Oralism and Auralism, 1933, 2:50.

Back to Series List