Leo Tolstoy and Barbara Samuels papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0482

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Leo Tolstoy and Barbara Samuels papers (1841-2010) consist of materials relating to the biochemisty careers and personal papers of Leo T. Samuels (1899-1978) and Barbara Petri Samuels (1901-2010). Included are correspondence, family history, speech and article reprints, an oral history interview transcript, memorabilia, and news clippings.

Dates

1841-2010

Creator

Samuels, Leo Tolstoy, 1899-1978 (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English and German.

Biographical Sketch

Leo Tolstoy Samuels (1899-1978) was born on 15 November 1899 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his bachelor's degree from Emanuel Missionary College in 1925, and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1930.

Barbara Katherine Petri was born 1 September 1911 in Indianapolis, Indiana and raised in Hollywood, California. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in History from UCLA in 1933 and 1934 respectively. Petri and Samuels were married 11 March 1935 in Yuma, Arizona.

In 1944, the Samuels' relocated to Salt Lake City, where Leo had accepted the position of chairman of the Department of Biological Chemistry at the University of Utah. Under his leadership, the department expanded from one faculty member and one laboratory assistant to twelve faculty members, numerous laboratory technicians and assistants, and research fellowship students and graduate students from all over the world. He was also instrumental in the expansion of the University of Utah's medical school. Barbara was considered an instrumental part of Leo's work, and spent much of her career as a volunteer in his lab, and helping graduate students adjust to life at the University. Leo died in 1978, and Barbara died in 2010.