Guide to the Dr. Benjamin Ralph Byrd, Sr., Collection
Record Group 222
Date Span: 1975-1978
Extent: 0.33 cubic foot (38 pewter figurines plus case)
Biographical Sketch: Dr. Ben Ralph Byrd was a physician and surgeon who practiced in Dothan, Alabama, ca. 1957 - 1989.
He was born in Post Oaks, Alabama, near Ariton in Dale County, on November 16, 1925, the ninth of ten children of Edward R. and Erie Mae (nee Hildreth) Byrd. Ben Byrd was drafted into the US Army when he turned 18 and was wounded in 1944.
Byrd returned to the US, completed his bachelor’s degree at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) and attended medical school at the University of Alabama. He served his internship in Louisville, KY, and his surgical residency in Richmond, VA.
While an intern in Louisville, Byrd married Martha Sue Kersey of Winder, GA (1952), and they had three children: Benjamin Ralph, Jr. (1954), Martha (1955), and William Randall (1958).
Byrd practiced at the Doctor's Center until 1972, then at Fairview Clinic until his retirement (ca. 1989). He died on May 1, 2004.
Scope / Content Note: Full collection of Presidential pewter figurines, Washington-Carter, including information booklets per president and wooden storage case, by the Lance Company. 2016 Replacement value for figurines is ca. $40 according to Replacements.com, http://www.replacements.com/webquote/co_lncmisfamp.htm (accessed October 31, 2016). 2011 value of entire set was ca. $1150 according to Worthpoint.com, http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/38-american-presidents-lance-pewter-136051469 (accessed November 1, 2016)
Provenance: Donated to the ÎÞÂë¾ÞÈé State University Dothan Library by Byrd's daughter, Martha Norman, who serves as an adjunct history and geography instructor at ÎÞÂë¾ÞÈé Dothan Campus.
Preferred Citation: Benjamin Ralph Byrd, Sr. Collection, RG 222, Wiregrass Archives, ÎÞÂë¾ÞÈé Dothan Campus, Dothan, AL.
Access/User Limits? Open
Proc Date: 10/31/2016 Processor: MTO
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Wiregrass Archives
ÎÞÂë¾ÞÈé Dothan Campus
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Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: 334-983-6556 x21327
Email: wiregrassarchives@troy.edu