Nathan Schlezinger papers on Samuel Leopold

Collection

Identifier: MSS 398

Content Description

The Nathan Schlezinger collection on Samuel Leopold dates from 1979 to 1981 and consists mainly of biographical information about Samuel Leopold. Schlezinger collected autobiographical notes and photographs from Leopold in order to prepare a tribute in honor of Leopold for his 100th birthday in 1979. Also included in the collection are letters referring to Schlezinger’s task of compiling biographical information, as well as newsclippings of obituaries for Leopold.

Dates

1979 - 1981

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Samuel Leopold was born 25 September 1879 in Philadelphia. He received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School (Penn) in 1902 and completed his internship at the Jewish Hospital. In 1905, he was appointed as an Instructor in Pathology Penn, held the position of Instructor of Neuropathology and Neurology from 1907 to 1917, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1918, a position he held until 1940.

Leopold served as a neuropsychiatrist in World War I and had reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the time he was discharged in 1919. He originated the practical method of treating the war neurosis known as ‘shell shock’ by establishing the field hospitals closer to the front lines and developing special psychiatric units within the Army divisions.

He became a member of The Philadelphia Neurological Society in 1907 and of The American Neurological Association in 1915. Leopold was also a member of various other medical associations, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychopathological Association, Philadelphia Psychiatric Society, Philadelphia County Medical Society, and he Philadelphia Pathological Society. He served on many boards and committees including the Philadelphia Community Health Center, National Historic Society, Pennsylvania State Association of Public Charities, and the Mental Hygiene Society. In 1952, he was honored by the American Medical Association and the Philadelphia County Medical Society for fifty years of distinguished service in medicine.

In addition to teaching at Penn, Leopold served on the staffs at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia General Hospital, and Albert Einstein Medical Center. He was associated with Friends Hospital and served as the Chief Neuropsychiatrist in the municipal courts of Philadelphia.

Leopold died on 6 June 1981 in Charlotte, North Carolina.