Charles Huggins' Road Not Taken at the Brady Urological Institute

Introduction Twenty years before Charles Huggins became one of two urologists to win a Nobel Prize, he earned a different prestigious title: Hugh Hampton Young’s successor at the Brady Urological Institute. This article seeks to better understand Huggins’ relationship with the ‘Brady’ and why he accepted the position, only to repudiate the offer months later. Sources and Methods Archival research was conducted at the Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives at Johns Hopkins and at the Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center at The University of Chicago. Secondary sources were accessed as cited. Results Letters between Charles Huggins and Alfred Blalock, the Director of Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH), reveal that Huggins’ relationship with the Brady began earlier than previously reported. When Hugh Hampton Young retired in 1941, Blalock wanted Huggins to become the Chair, but socio-political factors interfered with his appointment. When Huggins was finally offered the position in 1945, he accepted the post but he resigned shortly thereafter. Conclusions The presented research provides insight into a turbulent period of transition at Hopkins. However, several archival gaps remain. Nevertheless, findings reveal that Huggins’ decision kept the Brady on the original trajectory set by Hugh Hampton Young. Huggins’ decision to relinquish the offered Chair position was motivated by something quite personal, his professional goals, and his sense of self.