What is the history of the Spanish influenza at Davidson?
On October 9, 1918, The Davidsonian reported that the college experienced “a severe visitation” of Spanish influenza. From the report of the first case, new cases began to emerge rapidly. Students filled the college’s infirmary and soon the Chambers Building (at that time both a dorm and academic building) became a makeshift hospital. Doctors, nurses, residents of the Town of Davidson, and professors at the college all tended to the ill. In total, over 200 cases were reported. One student, Daniel J. Currie, passed away from pneumonia, likely resulting from the influenza.
For more information, please explore these resources:
- Around the D Blog Post: “(Re)Collecting the Spanish Influenza Epidemic of 1918 and COVID-19 in Davidson”
- President William Joseph Martin Records, 1913-1929 (RG 2-1-11)
- Local History Database: This database contains excerpts of articles from college publications including the Davidson College Magazine and the Davidsonian that refer to people and events in the town of Davidson, NC. Searching terms like "flu" and "influenza" will most likely generate results from the 1918-1919 Spanish influenza epidemic.
- 1920 Quips and Cranks: No Quips and Cranks was produced in 1919. Page 66 of the 1920 Quips and Cranks lists Daniel J. Currie and discusses the Spanish flu.