Dr. James M. Flint

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Dr. James M. (Milton) Flint (1838-1919) was a surgeon, later medical director for the United States Navy. As an assistant surgeon general, U.S.N., he was detailed to the National Museum in 1881 to take charge of its medical collection. Dr. Flint retained his connection with the museum for 31 years. In 1881, the Section of Materia Medica was established in the Department of Arts and Industries, United States National Museum (USNM), to collect medical specimens. Until 1900, the United States Navy detailed a Navy surgeon to act as honorary curator for the Section of Materia Medica. In 1897, the Section of Materia Medica became the Division of Medicine in the Department of Anthropology. Upon his retirement from the Navy, Flint volunteered to remain and served as Honorary Curator, 1900-1912. In 1884, he was detailed as the medical officer on board the famous steamship Albatross of the United States Fish Commission. When not looking after the sick, he made use of every moment of his time in collecting and studying the microscopic life in the sea.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 8, Folder 24

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu