File

This file documents the personal and family life of John Racey, his work as a physician, and the circumstances surrounding his death. It is composed primarily of the original handwritten version of a biographical account written by his widow Susanna Withington Wise in 1848 or 1849, as well as a typewritten copy of this account dated 1964 that includes an introductory note signed by A. E. Washer.

Organized chronologically, Susanna Withington Wise's account begins by tracing the major educational milestones of her husband, who began studying medicine with Dr. Caldwell in Montreal before continuing his studies in Edinburgh, Scotland. It describes John Racey's trips to England and France to hone his practice, chronicling the unrest gripping in the city of Paris where he stayed for a time in the fall of 1831. It also relates the cholera epidemic that hit Scotland in December of that year, during which Racey, who had returned to Edinburgh, worked tirelessly to help the victims. The account then looks at the young doctor's personal and professional life. After graduating and coming back to Canada, he began his career working at the Montreal General Hospital and teaching anatomy at McGill University. In its final chapter, the story describes the terrible typhus epidemic of 1847 that struck Quebec City, where Racey and his family had moved, brought over by new immigrants infected with the bacteria. It chronicles how Racey's dedication to caring for the sick who had been prematurely discharged from the Grosse Isle quarantine station would prove to be fatal as the young physician died of typhus on October 25, 1847, at the age of 38.

Susanna Withington Wise wrote this account for her children to preserve the memory of their young father, whom she calls "Papa" throughout. The biographical format provides a framework onto which she weaves an admiring portrait of her husband that consistently emphasizes his kind and gentle nature. She describes him as a role model, presenting him as a scholarly, persevering, hard-working student, driven by the constant desire to improve. To demonstrate how everyone thought very highly of him, her text includes transcriptions of testimonials that Racey had received, like a letter from Reverend Esson, with whom he studied at the Montreal Academical Institution, and commendatory letters praising his virtues and humanity towards his patients during the Edinburgh cholera epidemic.

In addition, the file contains a photocopy of a handwritten transcription of the account, done by Margaret Sarah Racey, that contains some additional information about the death of Susanna Withington Wise. This document also incorporates transcriptions of prose and verse texts, including a poem composed by Susanna shortly after her husband's death and a text in which she expresses her final wishes.