John Darlington Corbit, Jr. was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 6, 1910, to John Darlington Corbit and Lovinia Adelaide Garner Corbit. He became closely associated with the Philadelphia medical and educational community while maintaining business, horticultural, and civic interests in the Reading and Philadelphia areas.
Corbit attended Swarthmore College and was listed there as a student in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He earned the M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1935, beginning the medical training that led to his specialization in obstetrics and gynecology and to a long academic career in Philadelphia.
Corbit began his medical career at Philadelphia General Hospital, serving as an intern from 1935 to 1937 and as a resident in obstetrics and gynecology from 1937 to 1939. From 1939 to 1941 he was a research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, where he subsequently served as an instructor in obstetrics and gynecology from 1939 to 1956, assistant professor from 1956 to 1963, and associate professor from 1963 to 1966. He was an associate attending at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 1939 to 1947 and remained on its staff through 1973, serving as chief of the obstetrics and gynecology service from 1953 to 1963, as head of its doctors' division from 1963 to 1965, and as a consultant from 1965 to 1966. At Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, he served on the staff from 1941 until 1973, was chief of obstetrics and gynecology from 1952 to 1954, and directed the Division of Women from 1954 to 1966. He joined the staff of Lankenau Hospital in 1954, became chief of obstetrics and gynecology from 1964 to 1966, and directed the department from 1966 to 1973. In 1966 he became a professor at Jefferson Medical College, where he continued until his death. Outside clinical medicine, he served as a consultant to Haverford Eastern State Hospital, president of Berkshire Nurseries, vice president of Reading Flowers, Incorporated, and a director of Professional Retirement Organisation, Incorporated, and Human Resources Network, Incorporated.
Established a long clinical and academic career in obstetrics and gynecology in Philadelphia, including senior appointments at the University of Pennsylvania, Jefferson Medical College, Presbyterian Hospital, and Lankenau Hospital.
Developed, named, and registered the 'Helen Corbit' holly cultivar, which was registered with the American Holly Society in 1964.
Was recognized as a noteworthy physician and educator in Marquis Who's Who.
Achieved diplomate status with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
(Letter to the editor by John D. Corbit, Jr., published in...)
1961He was a member of the Society of Friends.
Corbit participated actively in American medical and educational organizations. He served on the American Medical Association's obstetrics and gynecology residency review committee from 1970 to 1973. Within the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, he served on the commission on continuing education from 1966 to 1973, the health care delivery committee from 1967 to 1973, and the council on resident education from 1969 to 1973; he chaired a subcommittee on obstetrical utilization from 1970 to 1973, served as vice president in 1972, and was section chairman from 1966 to 1969. He was also associated with the American Association of Medical Colleges, the Association for Hospital Medical Education, and Blockley, serving as president of Blockley from 1967 to 1969. He was a member of the Society of Friends and served on the boards of Friends Select School, the National Council on Alcoholism, and the Delaware Valley Council on Alcoholism.
Served on the obstetrics and gynecology residency review committee.
American Medical Association , United States
1970 - 1973
Served on the commission on continuing education, health care delivery committee, and council on resident education; chaired a subcommittee on obstetrical utilization, served as vice president in 1972, and was section chairman from 1966 to 1969.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , United States
1966 - 1973
American Association of Medical Colleges , United States
Association for Hospital Medical Education , United States
Served as president from 1967 to 1969.
Blockley , United States
1967 - 1969
Society of Friends , United States
Served on the board of directors.
Friends Select School , United States
Served on the board of directors.
National Council on Alcoholism , United States
Served on the board of directors.
Delaware Valley Council on Alcoholism , United States
Corbit was the son of John Darlington Corbit and Lovinia Adelaide Garner Corbit. He married Helen Veronica O’Brien on June 7, 1937, and later married Dorothy Ann Dickenson Robinson on May 21, 1970. He had three children: John Darlington Corbit III, Nancy Jean Corbit, and Margaret Deborah Corbit.
Married John Darlington Corbit on June 7, 1937.
Married John Darlington Corbit on May 21, 1970.
Married Michael Wilson Lewars.
