William Osler served as the second dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine from 1898 to 1899. Osler was traveling for much of 1898 as well as during the summer of 1899. While Osler was away, William H. Welch served as the acting dean. Howell became dean in October 1899.
Records comprise dean's office correspondence and accompanying documents for the period during which Osler was dean and present at Johns Hopkins University, essentially from January through May 1899 and the end of September 1899. Because of Osler's short tenure as dean and his travels during this period, this collection contains a limited number of correspondence.