Kelly, Howard A. (1859-1943)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Mar 4 p. 7

Birth date: 1859 Feb 20

text of obituary:

Dr. Howard A. Kelly, Internationally Known Surgeon, Was Devout Student of The Bible

Dr. Howard A. Kelly, 84, one of the country's most learned doctors and also a devout believer in the Bible, died recently at Baltimore, Md. Known internationally, he was one of the "big four" of the original Johns Hopkins Medical School faculty.

The famous doctor frequently aldressed [sic] large audiences with simple messages on subjects on the Bible and the veracity of the Christina faith.

Mrs. Kelly, a patient at the same hospital, died six hours later without knowing her husband already was dead. Both had been unconscious for several days.

Dr. Kelly was born in Camden, J. J., February 20, 1858. He was known chiefly in his profession as a surgeon of the abdominal region and when he was but 28 years old became professor of gynecology and obstetrics in Johns Hopkins, which was then organizing.

Other members comprising the so-called "big four" of the medical school faculty were the late Dr. William Osler; Dr. William H. Welch and Dr. William T. Halstead.

Until his retirement several years ago Dr. Kelly was active head of the Johns Hopkins department of gynecology and became professor emeritus in 1919. He was a pioneer in the use of radium for the treatment of cancer and wrote many books and articles dealing with a wide field of medical subjects.

Dr. Kelly also was an authority on poisonous snakes and a militant prohibitionist.