American Medical Biographies/Allen, Charles Warrenne
Allen, Charles Warrenne (1854–1906)
Charles Warrenne Allen, a dermatologist, was born at Flemington, New Jersey, December 4, 1854. He was the son of a lawyer and went as a boy to the public schools of his native place; later he was sent to the Lycée Imperiale, Nantes, and in 1875 graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire.
He began to study medicine at Harvard but received his degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, in 1878.
In 1879–80 he studied in Vienna, Heidelberg and Paris, then in 1881 settled in New York City to practise, later devoting himself exclusively to diseases of the skin.
Shortly after his return from Europe he was appointed genito-urinary surgeon to the Charity Hospital, New York; when he resigned that position he was appointed consultant.
For many years he was physician to the department of diseases of the skin in the Essex Street Dispensary In 1900 he was appointed to the chair in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School, a position he held until death.
He was dermatological consultant to the Randall's Island Hospital, New York, the Hackensack and Bayonne Hospital, New Jersey, a member of the medical societies of the state and county of New York, the New York Dermatological society and the American Dermatological Association.
He wrote "The Practitioner's Handy Book of Medical Progress" and the "Practitioner's Manual," and in collaboration with Drs. Franklin and Sterne published, in 1904, "Radiotherapy, Phototherapy, and High Frequency Currents" and was on the editorial staff of the New York Medical Record, also contributing frequently to various medical journals on dermatology.
Dr. Allen's vast experience and keen observation made him one of the most expert dermatologists in the United States; he was a ready debator and gave expression to ideas that were helpful to his confreres.
His death occurred at Genoa, May 17, 1906, while returning from the 1906 International Medical Congress.