Bertha Harmer
Encyclopedia
Bertha Harmer was a Canadian
nurse, writer and educator. Harmer graduated from the Toronto General Hospital (TGH) in 1913.
), which she wrote. The book first appeared in April 1922 while Harmer was teaching at St. Luke's Hospital Training School for Nurses in New York City
. The 2nd edition appeared six years later.
Harmer was named Assistant Professor at Yale University
's School of Nursing and as First Assistant Superintendent of Nurses at the New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.
, where she was named Director of the School for Graduate Nurses at McGill University. She remained until she was forced to retire due to poor health in 1934, the same year she died.
The third edition of her book was the last to appear under her name alone. It was published in July 1934, five months before Harmer's death. Christena Wallace (TGH/1922) who was Harmer's nurse around that time recalled Harmer editing the book and conferring with the publisher despite her the dire state of her health. Wallace claimed, as well, that Harmer's book was so popular that Macmillan
, the publishing company, did not want to remove her name fearing a decrease in sales. Therefore the 4th and 5th editions, which were printed in 1939 and 1955, respectively, kept Harmer's name and added Virginia Henderson
as a co-author/co-editor.
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
nurse, writer and educator. Harmer graduated from the Toronto General Hospital (TGH) in 1913.
United States
She garnered attention for her Text-Book of the Principles and Practice of Nursing (published by Macmillan PublishersMacmillan Publishers
Macmillan Publishers Ltd, also known as The Macmillan Group, is a privately held international publishing company owned by Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. It has offices in 41 countries worldwide and operates in more than thirty others.-History:...
), which she wrote. The book first appeared in April 1922 while Harmer was teaching at St. Luke's Hospital Training School for Nurses in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The 2nd edition appeared six years later.
Harmer was named Assistant Professor at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
's School of Nursing and as First Assistant Superintendent of Nurses at the New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.
Return to Canada
She left these positions and moved to MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, where she was named Director of the School for Graduate Nurses at McGill University. She remained until she was forced to retire due to poor health in 1934, the same year she died.
The third edition of her book was the last to appear under her name alone. It was published in July 1934, five months before Harmer's death. Christena Wallace (TGH/1922) who was Harmer's nurse around that time recalled Harmer editing the book and conferring with the publisher despite her the dire state of her health. Wallace claimed, as well, that Harmer's book was so popular that Macmillan
Macmillan Publishers
Macmillan Publishers Ltd, also known as The Macmillan Group, is a privately held international publishing company owned by Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. It has offices in 41 countries worldwide and operates in more than thirty others.-History:...
, the publishing company, did not want to remove her name fearing a decrease in sales. Therefore the 4th and 5th editions, which were printed in 1939 and 1955, respectively, kept Harmer's name and added Virginia Henderson
Virginia Henderson
Virginia Henderson, FRCN was a nurse, researcher, theorist and author. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the fifth of eight children of Lucy Abbot Henderson and Daniel B. Henderson. She graduated from the Army School of Nursing, Washington, D.C. in 1921. She graduated from Teachers College,...
as a co-author/co-editor.
Death
Bertha Harmer died on 14 December 1934, aged only 49. She was interred in her family's plot in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.