Artist: Marie DeFord Keller; Oil on canvas
Arthur P. Herring was born at
Martinsburg, W. Va., on May 25, 1875. He received his medical degree from
Baltimore Medical College in 1896. He became an Assistant in Pathology and
Prosector in Anatomy, Baltimore Medical College. Associate Professor of
Anatomy, Baltimore Medical College.
In 1908, MedChi physicians “interested in the care of the
insane” formed the Maryland Psychiatric Society (MPS), resulting in increased activity and
clout for issues related to psychiatric care. The same year the state’s Lunacy
Commission was reorganized in an effort to create a more professional (and less
political) structure in keeping with evolving ideas about civil service and
public administration.
The able and energetic physician Arthur P. Herring, member of
the Maryland Psychiatric Society, was appointed secretary to the commission, and
proposed that the Maryland Psychiatric Society hold a joint meeting in the new
faculty building with the State Lunacy Commission and the Neurological Section
of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland. This meeting was to make a final effort to
interest the members of the Legislature and the public in the passage of the
State Care Act.
The committee
was enlarged and made a standing committee, chaired by Adolf Meyer, in January
1910, and given space in the offices of the Lunacy Commission. Herring
presented the committee’s report and Plan for the Prophylaxis of Mental
Disorders and the After-Care of Convalescent Patients by Organized Social
Service” at MedChi’s semi-annual meeting the following September.
Dr. Herring also served as Chief of Psychiatric
Service; stationed at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland.
I'm very proud of my grandfather and regret that he died of cancer at the height of his career
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