De Witt, Lydia (1859–1928)

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De Witt, Lydia (1859–1928)

American pathologist. Born Lydia Maria Adams, Feb 1, 1859, in Flint, Michigan; died Mar 10, 1928, in Winter, Texas; dau. of Oscar Adams and Elizabeth (Walton) Adams; graduate of Ypsilanti Normal College (later Eastern Michigan University), 1886; m. Alton D. De Witt (teacher, d. 1921), June 22, 1878; children: 2.

Served in various positions in pathology department of University of Michigan (c. 1899–1910), as instructor in pathology at Washington University (from 1910), and as assistant city pathologist and bacteriologist in St. Louis department of health; joined staff of Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial Institute (1912), where she conducted experimental research on chemical treatment of tuberculosis; became associate professor in department of pathology at University of Chicago (1918); served as president of Chicago Pathological Society (1924–25).