Physician John Wakefield Francis (1789-1861) cofounded the New York Academy of Medicine. He served as the second president of the Academy, taught at Bellevue Hospital, wrote medical texts, and edited professional journals. Collection consists of correspondence, financial papers, writings, by-laws and minutes, and related papers of Francis and others. Correspondence of others include letters to Francis's associates and family members. Financial documents, 1798-1851, are accounts, receipts, receipt books, checks, and collection notices. Writings are speeches, lectures and notes of Francis and others. Also, minutes and by-laws, 1807-1810, of the Medical and Surgical Society of the University of New York State; and printed material.

Topics of these lectures include climatology, inertia, electricity, and fluids.

These letters and papers include a memorandum book (1795-1827), lectures on botany and medicine, genealogical materials, committee reports from Columbia College, speeches, minutes of the New York Horticultural Society (1822-1828), letters to Sir James Edward Smith (1817-1826), a receipt book of Alexander Hosack (1781-1801), and diaries of Thomas K. Wharton (1830-1862).

The manuscripts of father William Mitchell and daughter Maria Mitchell are not easily separated, and are treated here together. The collection includes William Mitchell's autobiography, his memoir of Judge Walter Folger of Nantucket, astronomical and meteorological observations, lectures, family and other correspondence.