Dr. Benjamin Hubbard Caldwell Jr.

1935 - 2017

Dr. Benjamin Hubbard Caldwell, Jr.

Nashville, TN

Dr. Benjamin Hubbard Caldwell, Jr., born May 1, 1935 in the small West Tennessee town of Humboldt to Thelma Jackson Caldwell and Benjamin Hubbard Caldwell, died May 8, 2017, following a long illness. He was preceded in death by his sister Sylvia Caldwell Hills. He is survived by his wife of 58 wonderful years, Gertrude Sharp Caldwell and children Trudy Caldwell Byrd (Will), Sarah Caldwell Hedrick, and Benjamin Hubbard Caldwell, III (Lael); six grandchildren: Susannah Scott Byrd, Henry Harrison Byrd, Ian Caldwell Hedrick (Molly), Amy Xuemei Hedrick, Isabel Lael Caldwell and Benjamin Edward Caldwell; five godchildren; fifteen nieces and nephews; his sister, Suzanne Caldwell Labry; and many dear friends.

Dr. Caldwell graduated from Humboldt High School as valedictorian in 1953. He entered Vanderbilt University and, after three years, went to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He did his internship in Straight Medicine and started his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Lying-in Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. He was drafted and, in 1962, as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, became Commanding officer of Second Hospital Company, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. He returned to Nashville in 1963 to complete his residency at Vanderbilt and became Chief Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1965.

He established a successful private practice and taught at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he received the Everett Clayton Award for Most Outstanding Clinical Instructor and the Award for Excellence in Surgical Instruction and Resident Education.

Dr. Caldwell loved the practice of OB/GYN and felt he was lucky to care for people at such a happy time in their lives. By the time he retired from obstetrics in 1990, he had delivered over 8,500 babies. He continued to practice medicine until 2000.

Dr. Caldwell was equally passionate about art and history, enthusiasms that began in childhood when he would go antiquing with his parents. While in North Carolina, he and his wife began their love and study of southern antiques and decorative arts, which fascinated and absorbed him for the rest of his life. He was an avid collector of all things Southern, including paintings, plants, trees, furniture, folk art, baskets, quilts, carvings, and silver.

Having discovered that Tennessee had numerous distinctive working silversmiths prior to 1860, he researched and wrote the definitive book on Tennessee silver, Tennessee Silversmiths, published in 1988. He is the co-author of The Art of Tennessee, published by the Frist Center for Visual Arts. He was a distinguished collector and noted scholar, invited to lecture by organizations nationwide, including Sotheby's, Winterthur, Williamsburg Antique Forum, Natchez Antiques Forum, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. He served on the boards of Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, the Historic Belmont Association and Ensworth School, and served as a consultant to Belle Meade Plantation, Historic Traveller's Rest, Cragfont and Oaklands Mansion.

Maine Antique Digest said, "[Dr. Caldwell] was always on the front end. He bought things when other people thought they didn't have any value. He's not the kind of collector who's looking for approval from anyone."

This independent spirit stood him in good stead in his extensive philanthropic work, as well. As president of the Historic Sites Federation of Tennessee (later known as Historic Nashville, Inc.) he faced a politically complex struggle. His tenacity and outspoken advocacy attracted the attention Ada Louise Huxtable, legendary architecture critic for The New York Times, who joined the fight; ultimately, the Federation prevented the destruction of Nashville's iconic Ryman Auditorium and, soon thereafter, Union Station.

When he arrived in Nashville in 1953, Dr. Caldwell first had the opportunity to visit a museum. The experience was deeply meaningful, and sparked his desire to make art more accessible to others; his copius collecting gave him the means. In 1994 he was a catalyst for renovating the Humboldt city hall building to create the West Tennessee Regional Art Center, donating a significant collection of paintings, prints, drawings, photographs and sculptures. For this support, he and his wife were given the Tennessee Arts Commission Governor's Arts Award. Throughout his life he encouraged artists of all kinds—poets and sculptors, painters and furniture makers, jewelers, metalsmiths and basket-makers. He bought their work, promoted their careers, advised and supported them. His generosity in sharing what he discovered in over 50 years of collecting has enriched all those who share his passion.

Pursuing knowledge and history, the Caldwells and their dearest friends traveled the world over. He researched, planned and enjoyed unforgettable trips to Greece, Egypt, Mexico, China, Japan, Russia, England, France, Italy, and Venezuela, among others. Yet, Beersheba Springs, Tennessee remained his favorite destination. He loved the glorious scenery and the local people.

Retirement gave him more time to spend in Beersheba. He began sculpting in limestone and devoted himself to writing a book about Andrew Jackson's silver collection and another on Virginia silver.

He was a member of the Belle Meade Country Club, Christ Church Cathedral, the Coffee House Club, South Central Obstetricians & Gynecologists, and many professional organizations.

The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude to caregivers Paula Brown, Maxwell Ebanks, Tamika Simpson, and the staff of Brookdale Senior Living.

We will celebrate Dr. Caldwell's life on Friday, May 12, 2017 at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, beginning with a visitation at 9:30 followed by a funeral service at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to West Tennessee Regional Art Center, 1200 East Main Street, Humboldt, TN 38343, Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic, PO Box 112, Beersheba Springs, TN 37305, and Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37205.