Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
Researchers should be advised that SCRC staff has identified materials in this collection that depict animal testing.
The John Parascandola Papers consist of correspondence, pamphlets, and other materials concerning animal research and testing used for his book A History of the Development of Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing. John Parascandola was a medical historian who taught and wrote about the history of pharmacology. Toward the end of his life, he also published on the topic of animal testing.
John Parascandola was born in New York City on July 14, 1941 and was raised in Brooklyn. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Brooklyn College and then went on to obtain his PhD in the History of Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1968. He continued teaching at this university for 12 years and later taught at the University of Maryland. Outside the classroom, Parascandola served as the Chief of the History of Medicine Division of the National Library of Medicine and the first Public Health Service Historian. He spent decades researching animal experimentation, which culminated in his book A History of the Development of Alternatives to Animal Research and Testing in 2024.
Parascandola’s other writings on the history of science include The Development of American Pharmacology: John J. Abel and the Shaping of a Discipline; Sex, Sin, and Science: A History of Syphilis in America; King of Poisons: A History of Arsenic, and Physiology; and Physiology, Propaganda, and Pound Animals: Medical Research and Animal Welfare in Mid-Twentieth Century America. In the 1980s, Parascandola’s sons Adam and Mark developed an interest in animal experimentation and mistreatment, which inspired their father’s research of the subject.
Throughout his career, Parascandola received notable accolades, including the Surgeon General’s Medallion (2004), a Citation of Merit from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005), the Lifetime Achievement Award of the American Association for the History of Medicine (2013), and the Robert P. Fischelis Award of the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy (2023).
John Parascandola died on November 30, 2024 at the age of 83.
The John Parascandola Papers contain correspondence, pamphlets, and publications written by Parascandola and others. Papers also include photographs, and other materials concerning animal research and testing used for his book A History of the Development of Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing. There are also materials from Parascandola’s memorial service and his completed book. The collection also includes correspondences between Parascandola and key animal rights activists Andrew Rowan and Henry Spira, and with Alan Goldberg, Chairman of the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing.
This collection is organized into two series, A History of the Development of Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing and Correspondence and Publications. Materials in series one were specifically titled by the creator with reference to Parascandola’s book. Many of the materials in series two were likely collected as research for the book but were not specifically categorized as such.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], John Parascandola Papers, MC 00783, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Adam and Mark Parascandola, 2025 July (Accession 2025.0083).
Preliminary processing by: Hailey Mandel, 2025 July; Collection guide written by: Hailey Mandel, 2025 July; Full processing by: Ella Mayfield, 2025 August; Collection guide updated by: Ella Mayfield, 2025 August
The collection is organized into two principal series:
Series one includes correspondence, drafts, photos, and research materials for Parascandola's book A History of the Development of Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing. The creator specifically labeled materials with the book title or chapter number.
Contents are arranged alphabetically.
Series two consists of all materials not specifically labeled as pertaining to Parascandola's book, although much of this content was likely used as research for A History of the Development of Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing. Materials include publications on animal testing and alternatives, conference materials, pamphlets, email correspondence, and more.
Content is organized in alphabetical order.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
Researchers should be advised that SCRC staff has identified materials in this collection that depict animal testing.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], John Parascandola Papers, MC 00783, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.