Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, schizophrenia research records, 1934-1995

Collection

Identifier: A1998-013

Dates

Creation: 1934-1995

Creator

Scottish Rite (Masonic order). Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (Organization)
Johnson, Melvin Maynard, 1871-1957 (Person)
Bushnell, George Edward, 1887–1965 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research except for noted restrictions. College transcripts are restricted under FERPA, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and some patient correspondence may be restricted. Contact Archivist for more details.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials in this collection may be governed by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Please contact the Archivist regarding permission to publish material.

Biographical / Historical

Melvin Maynard Johnson (1933-1953), Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, initiated the program to fund schizophrenia research (then known as dementia praecox) in 1934, a year into his term. In the first year, $15,000 (almost $360,000 in 2025) was appropriated to start the research. In 1935, it was raised to $40,000 (almost $940,000 in 2025) and by 1985, the fund had climbed to $750,000 (almost 2.3 million in 2025).

Full Extent

80 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is separated into five series: Financial information (1952-1983); Correspondence (1939-1990); Meeting proceedings, minutes, and agendas (1934-1977); Fellowship applications (1972-1997); and Grant applications (1934-1995). Series 1-3 are arranged chronologically, and Series 4 and 5 are arranged alphabetically.