The History of the French Hospital of San Francisco, created by the French Mutual Benevolent Society in the 2nd half of the 19th century.

Presented by Annick Foucrier

Thur. Oct. 24th
In-person cocktail reception @ 6:00PM PDT; Live broadcast at @7PM PDT

Hosted by:
The French Mutual Benevolent Society &
San Francisco Historical Soceity and Museum

Background:

Many French people participated in the California Gold Rush. They came from all over France and its colonies. Faced with the uncertainties of illness and death, and not speaking English, these immigrants found strength in their French speaking community. In 1851, they formed a mutual benefit membership society, along the lines of an HMO, that employed doctors and built a hospital. Over time, the number of members increased, as did the services provided by the hospital to the French community and the residents of San Francisco at large. This lecture will present the history of the French Hospital in the 19th century, placing it within the context of the French immigrant presence in California.

About the Author:

Professor Annick Foucrier is an agrégée in history and holds a doctorate from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS). She obtained her doctorate in January 1991 with a thesis entitled “France, the French, and California before the Gold Rush, 1786-1848.” After serving as a professor of contemporary history at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and director of the North American History Research Center, she is currently Professor Emeritus (North American History). She is a Knight in the Order of Academic Palms.

She is the author of, among others: “The Californian Dream: French Migrants on the Pacific Coast, 18th-20th Centuries” (Belin, American Cultures collection, 1999, 428 p.); “Across the North American West: “The Exploration Expedition Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, 1803-1806” (Éditions la Lanterne magique, 2018, 240 p.); “Gangsters and American Society (1920-1960)” (Paris, ellipses, 2001, 128 p.); “France and the Civil War” (Clermont-Ferrand, LEMME éditions, 2011). She is the author of numerous articles on immigration to the United States, particularly the French presence, the history of the North American West, and the Pacific world.

Her research focuses on international migrations, the history of the French in North America, particularly in California and Chicago, Franco-American relations, the history of North America, and the relations, movements, and exchanges in the Pacific world (18th-21st centuries).

A free tickets is required to watch the live show or to attend in-person reception. All donations benefit the Historical Society! Thank You!

Register: http://www.sfhistory.org/Foucrier