Atherton Seidell

1878-1961

Life

Seidell was one of the founders of the American Documentation Institute. Promoted microfilm and developed the Seidell viewer. Instigated the Current List of Medical Literature which later became Index Medicus. According to Sewell, "Seidell's vision was such that many of the goals he set three decades ago are still over the horizon. Though microfilm was to him a magic formula for the solution of documentation problems, he never lost sight of the ultimate purpose: to advance knowledge through the communication of ideas." See Hirtle, Peter B. "Historical Note: Atherton Seidell and the Photoduplication of Library Material." JASIS 40(6): 424-431 for more information about Seidell.

Employment

• Dept. of Agriculture
• Public Health Service

Awards

• 1961 Pioneer Medal (National Microfilm Association)
• French Legion of Honor
• Order of the Crown of Italy

Papers

Location #1: NLM, History of Medicine Division

• Papers dates: 1899-1931
• Size: 2 mss. boxes
• Includes: Includes printed materials, motes, misc. papers, minutes of meetings, and research notes.
• Finding aid:
• Source: NLM Online Catalog