The Register of
George Glenner Papers
1932 - 1995

MSS 0389

Mandeville Special Collections Library
Geisel Library
University of California, San Diego

Extent: 9.40 linear feet (8 archives boxes and 7 records cartons)

Abstract

Papers of George Glenner (1928-1995), physician and research pathologist who specialized in Alzheimer's disease. In 1984 Glenner indentified the molecular structure of the beta amyloid protein and its relation to Alzheimer's disease. The collection includes biographical materials, notebooks, writings, correspondence, certificates, awards, photographs, videorecordings, and George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Center, Inc. materials. The papers are arranged in seven series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 2) NOTEBOOKS, 3) WRITINGS BY GLENNER, 4) CORRESPONDENCE, 5) CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS, 6) AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS, and 7) GEORGE G. GLENNER ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY CENTER, INC.

Biography

George G. Glenner (1928-1995) graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1953 and studied surgery and pathology at Mt. Sinai Hospital of New York and Mallory Institute at Boston City College. He served as chief of the Molecular Pathology section and as chairman of the Department of Medicine and Physiology for the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the National Institutes of Health between 1958 and 1980.

In 1982 Glenner was appointed research pathologist in the Department of Pathology at UCSD School of Medicine. In 1984 he identified the molecular structure of the beta amyloid protein and its association with Alzheimer's disease and set the stage for future researchers. His subsequent research focused on enzyme treatments to cut the large amyloid precursor protein and prevent plaques from forming in the brain.

In 1982 Glenner and his wife, Joy, founded the first Alzheimer's Family Center to provide day care for Alzheimer's patients and respite for family caregivers. In 1987 they founded the Alzheimer's School of Dementia Care, which provided training for nurses and other health care workers.

Glenner was a member of the National Alzheimer's Association Board of Directors and of the Medical/Scientific Advisory Board. He also served as Medical Advisor to the Alzheimer's Association, San Diego, and he was the chairman of California State Alzheimer's Disease Task Force. George Glenner was named San Diego Citizen of the Year for 1985 by the SAN DIEGO UNION.

Dr. George Glenner died on July 12, 1995.

Scope and Content

The George Glenner Papers document the life of a research pathologist who made major contributions to the research and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The collection includes notebooks, photographs, writings, correspondence, certificates, awards, and videorecordings. The collection spans the years 1932 to 1995, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1956 to 1995. The collection is arranged in seven series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 2) NOTEBOOKS, 3) WRITINGS BY GLENNER, 4) CORRESPONDENCE, 5) CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS, 6) AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS, and GEORGE G. GLENNER ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY CENTER, INC.

SERIES 1: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS

The BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS series contains articles and clippings (1945-1995) about Glenner. Also included are flyers and pamphlets documenting Glenner's activities, photographs of Glenner and memorabilia.

SERIES 2: NOTEBOOKS

The second series, NOTEBOOKS, contains several of Glenner's notebooks from medical school, as well as laboratory notebooks related to his Alzheimer's research in 1981-1982. The notebooks are arranged alphabetically.

SERIES 3: WRITINGS BY GLENNER

The third series, WRITINGS BY GLENNER, is arranged in two subseries: A) Bibliography and B) Miscellaneous Writings.

The Bibliography subseries contains three bound volumes containing Glenner's published writings (1957-1995) arranged in a numerical order. His bibliography is found at the beginning of each volume.

The second subseries, Miscellaneous Writings, consists of materials related to Alzheimer's disease, aging and the impacts of Alzheimer's on families. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.

SERIES 4: CORRESPONDENCE

The CORRESPONDENCE series contains two framed letters and a file of letters (1948-1995) of commendation and congratulation written to Glenner.

SERIES 5: CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS

The fifth series, CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS, is arranged in two subseries: A) Certificates and B) Awards. The first subseries contains Glenner's certificates (1942-1991) arranged chronologically. The second subseries contains articles on awards that Glenner received as well as his awards (1973-1995).

SERIES 6: AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS

The sixth series, AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS, is arranged in two subseries: A) Slides and B) Videorecordings. The first subseries contains twenty-five slides that document Glenner's major contributions to research about Alzheimer's disease. The second subseries contains videorecordings on Alzheimer's research, training for caregivers and awards ceremonies.

SERIES 7: GEORGE G. GLENNER ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY CENTER, INC.

The seventh series, GEORGE G. GLENNER ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY CENTER, INC. contains annual reports, conference material, grant applications, and a training manual.

Finding aid generated: 2005-10-28