Dr. Louis Carroll English Papers
1942-1945
Manuscript Collection #844- Creator(s)
- English, Louis Carroll
- Physical description
- 1.5 Cubic Feet, 3 archival boxes
- Preferred Citation
- Dr. Louis Carroll English Papers (#844), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
- Repository
- ECU Manuscript Collection
- Access
- No restrictions
Papers (1940–1945) of a U.S. Naval Reserve medical officer, including scrapbook of clippings, photographs, correspondence, photographs, original art, and memorabilia compiled while serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve at the Toledo, Ohio naval recruiting station, 1942–1943; And letters sent to his parents Dr. and Mrs. Carroll C. English, in Louisville, Kentucky, while serving aboard USS Trathen (DD-530), 4 April 1943–5 December 1944
Biographical/historical information
D. Louis Carroll "Woody" English was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and earned his M.D. at the University of Louisville. In 1941, he enlisted in the Navy, and served as a physician on a Navy Fletcher class destroyer, USS Trathen (DD-530), in the South Pacific for 18 months. English also received training in psychoanalysis at the William Allenson White Institute in New York, where he went on to become a member of the faculty, Director of Clinical Services and President. He also served as a Fulbright Professor at the University of Baroda in the 1950s, and for many years served as director at Rockland County (N.Y.) Mental Health Clinic.
In 1958 English bought a second home in North Truro, Mass. During the late 1960s he volunteered his professional services in a nearby town at the Provincetown Drop-In Center. After retiring, English began a second career as an artist, working primarily in collage. He was actively involved at Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill and served as a member of its board. English died on 5 December 2001 at the age of 86.
Scope and arrangement
The collection consists of correspondence (1943–1944) from English to his parents in Louisville regarding his life in San Francisco and while serving at sea. English describes day-to-day activities without too many details due to the secrecy of his mission. His main topics of discussion include mentions of friends he has made, books he is reading and other general topics. English's letters are often accompanied by sketches of depicting his topics of discussion. Also included are some menus from the special events held aboard the ship.
The collection also includes a scrapbook containing programs, magazine and newspaper clippings, military-inspired cartoons, wedding announcements, ephemera and photographs. The majority of these items document events in English's life and in the lives of his friends. Much of the materials also relates to places he visited, including San Francisco and Toledo.
Administrative information
Custodial History
Source of acquisition
Gift of Dr. Louis Carroll English
Processing information
Processed by Jason Johnson, 2002, and Martha Baldree, May 4, 2004
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Copyright notice
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.
Metadata Rights Declaration
Key terms
Personal Names
English, Louis CarrollGilpin, John Wallace
Corporate Names
United States. Naval ReserveUnited States. Navy--Military life
Topical
Destroyers (Warships)--United StatesPsychiatrists--New York (State)