James Peter Warbasse
Encyclopedia
Dr. James Peter Warbasse (November 22, 1866 - February 22, 1957) was an American
surgeon
and advocate for cooperative
s. He founded the Cooperative League of the United States of America
(which later became the National Cooperative Business Association) and was its president from 1916 to 1941.
to Joseph Warbasse and Harlett Northrup.
in 1889. From 1889 to 1891 he interned at the Methodist Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Warbasse did postgraduate work under surgeon Franz König
and pathologist Johannes Orth
in Göttingen, Germany and in Vienna, Austria under Theodor Billroth
. He established a private practice in 1892.
In 1898, Warbasse served as acting assistant surgeon in the Seventh Army Corps of the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War
in Cuba and Florida. The following year, he was captain and assistant surgeon of the 13th regiment of the New York Artillery. Warbasse married Agnes Louise Dyer, daughter of Henry Knight Dyer on April 15, 1903. Warbasse became chief surgeon of the German Hospital of Brooklyn in 1906. He was the editor of the New York State Journal of Medicine from 1905 to 1909.
In 1911, Warbasse was a member of the "Recruiting Local" No. 174 of the Industrial Workers of the World
(IWW). In the 1910s, he published essays on The Socialization of Medicine and Conserving Health versus Exploiting Disease. He was also involved with the Socialist Party. In 1913 he wrote a pamphlet entitled The Ethics of Sabotage and aided textile mill strikers in New Bedford, Massachusetts
. Warbasse founded the Cooperative League of the U.S.A. in 1916 with his wife Agnes and other organizers.
Warbasse was expelled from the Kings County, New York Medical Society in 1918 for writing a letter to the Long Island Medical Journal critical of compulsory military training.
Warbasse wrote many books throughout his career, including a three volume text on Surgical Practices and about 100 scientific and clinical papers. In the 1930s, he was invited by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
to serve on the Consumer Board of the National Recovery Administration
. Warbasse officiated at his daughter Vera's wedding in 1937. Warbasse died on February 22, 1957 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. He was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in 1976.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
and advocate for cooperative
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
s. He founded the Cooperative League of the United States of America
National Cooperative Business Association
Founded in 1916 as the Cooperative League of America, the National Cooperative Business Association is a United States membership organization for cooperatives, businesses that are jointly-owned and democratically-controlled....
(which later became the National Cooperative Business Association) and was its president from 1916 to 1941.
Early life
Warbasse was born on November 22, 1866 in Newton, New JerseyNewton, New Jersey
Newton is a town in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town population was 8,244. It is the county seat of Sussex County....
to Joseph Warbasse and Harlett Northrup.
Early career
Warbasse graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians and SurgeonsColumbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, often known as P&S, is a graduate school of Columbia University that is located on the health sciences campus in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan...
in 1889. From 1889 to 1891 he interned at the Methodist Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Warbasse did postgraduate work under surgeon Franz König
Franz König (surgeon)
Franz König was a German surgeon who was a native of Rotenburg an der Fulda. In 1855 he received his doctorate from the University of Marburg, and was later district wound surgeon in Hanau...
and pathologist Johannes Orth
Johannes Orth
Johannes Orth was a German pathologist who was a native of Wallmerod. He studied medicine at the University of Bonn, earning his doctorate in 1872. Afterwards he became an assistant to Rudolf Virchow in Berlin...
in Göttingen, Germany and in Vienna, Austria under Theodor Billroth
Theodor Billroth
Christian Albert Theodor Billroth was a German-born Austrian surgeon and amateur musician....
. He established a private practice in 1892.
In 1898, Warbasse served as acting assistant surgeon in the Seventh Army Corps of the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
in Cuba and Florida. The following year, he was captain and assistant surgeon of the 13th regiment of the New York Artillery. Warbasse married Agnes Louise Dyer, daughter of Henry Knight Dyer on April 15, 1903. Warbasse became chief surgeon of the German Hospital of Brooklyn in 1906. He was the editor of the New York State Journal of Medicine from 1905 to 1909.
In 1911, Warbasse was a member of the "Recruiting Local" No. 174 of the Industrial Workers of the World
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
(IWW). In the 1910s, he published essays on The Socialization of Medicine and Conserving Health versus Exploiting Disease. He was also involved with the Socialist Party. In 1913 he wrote a pamphlet entitled The Ethics of Sabotage and aided textile mill strikers in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
. Warbasse founded the Cooperative League of the U.S.A. in 1916 with his wife Agnes and other organizers.
Warbasse was expelled from the Kings County, New York Medical Society in 1918 for writing a letter to the Long Island Medical Journal critical of compulsory military training.
Warbasse wrote many books throughout his career, including a three volume text on Surgical Practices and about 100 scientific and clinical papers. In the 1930s, he was invited by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to serve on the Consumer Board of the National Recovery Administration
National Recovery Administration
The National Recovery Administration was the primary New Deal agency established by U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. The goal was to eliminate "cut-throat competition" by bringing industry, labor and government together to create codes of "fair practices" and set prices...
. Warbasse officiated at his daughter Vera's wedding in 1937. Warbasse died on February 22, 1957 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. He was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in 1976.
Further reading
- Babbott, Frank L. Doctors Afield: James P. Warbasse
- Saffron, Morris H. James Peter Warbasse