Henry Ware Cattell and Walt Whitman's Brain

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Pathology
• Biographical Sketch

Background:

• Henry Ware Cattell was a notable pathologist and medical editor in late 19th/early 20th century America.
• Cattell's career shifted after a 1892 incident involving Walt Whitman's autopsy and the subsequent loss of the poet's brain.

Discussion:

• The essay details Cattell's life, including his rivalry with brother James McKeen Cattell.
• It explores the 19th-century fad of phrenology and intellectual "brain clubs."
• The central mystery of the lost Walt Whitman brain is addressed.

Key Insights:

• Cattell's professional life was profoundly affected by the mishandling of Whitman's brain, leading to a career change.
• The incident fueled Cattell's self-doubt and anxiety about his pathological capabilities.

Outlook:

• This biographical sketch sheds light on a lesser-known figure in medical history and the cultural practices of the era.
• It highlights the intersection of pathology, intellectual history, and the controversial pseudoscience of phrenology.