Henry R. Winkler Center staff recently completed processing the correspondence portion of the Benjamin Felson archival collection, which is now available for research. The correspondence series documents many of the professional activities in which Dr. Felson was involved, such as his editorship for Seminars in Roentgenology, as well as his travel activities and his love for tennis.
Dr. Felson is seen here with Dr. Harold Jacobson in an undated photograph.
While exploring the correspondence series, one name appeared on a regular basis — Dr. Harold G. Jacobson. Dr. Jacobson, considered “one of the giants of radiology”[1], graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1937, two years after Dr. Felson. Though Dr. Jacobson’s career took him around the United States until he landed at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York, he and Dr. Felson kept in touch regularly. They frequently corresponded about radiology conferences and lectures, family matters, and, of course, tennis. It is apparent through their letters that they had mutual respect and admiration for each other.
In a biographical sketch written by Dr. Felson, he noted, “Harold Jacobson is a phenomenon that happens once in a generation: a combination of prodigious talent, tremendous drive, innovative imagination, and colorful personality, all in one deceptively small package.”[2]
Dr. Jacobson also provided high praise for Dr. Felson. In a letter supporting Dr. Felson’s Honorary Degree from the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Jacobson wrote,
The word “teacher” and Ben Felson are synonymous in the academic radiological community. His impact on medical students is legendary. Aside from the very large number of medical students whom he has interested in entering Radiology as a lifetime career, his role in generating meaningful enthusiasm in all medical students, even those who enter disciplines other than Diagnostic Radiology, is known by all academic radiologists. No medical student at the University of Cincinnati will ever forget the thrill inherent in the experience of listening to and watching Ben Felson teach.[3]
By examining the correspondence between the two, you can really get a sense of the nature of their relationship. For example, in 1979, Dr. Felson went Dr. Jacobson’s department at Montefiore as a visiting professor. Upon his return to Cincinnati, he wrote to Dr. Jacobson, saying, “It was a great trip. As always, you are a superb host and a fine competitor, both on the court and in the film reading sessions. […] Of all the places I visit, I feel most at home with you and your colleagues at Montefiore.”[4]
When doing research on Dr. Jacobson, I came across a quote in his obituary in Radiology, which stated, “Because of his love of radiology and teaching, charisma, gift for communication, and concern for individuals, Dr. Jacobson nurtured the careers of countless medical students and physicians.”[5] This exact statement could also have been written about Dr. Felson. With common goals and interests, it is no wonder that they were close friends and respected colleagues.
If you would like to see the letters and other documents mentioned in this blog post, please contact the Winkler Center at chhp@uc.edu or (513) 558-5120.
References
[1] Sprayregen, Seymour. “Harold Gordon Jacobson, MD.” Radiology 223 (2002): 588. http://radiology.rsna.org/content/223/2/588.full
[2] Felson, Benjamin. “A Tribute of Harold G. Jacobson.” [1977?] Found in Felson Archives, Series Correspondence, Box 5, Folder 90 — Jacobson, Harold G., 1967-1988.
[3] Letter from Jacobson, Harold G. to Friedman, Richard D. dated 1988-01-21. Found in Felson Archives, Series Correspondence, Box 5, Folder 90 — Jacobson, Harold G., 1967-1988.
[4] Letter from Felson, Benjamin to Jacobson, Harold G. dated 1979-05-30. Found in Felson Archives, Series Correspondence, Box 5, Folder 90 — Jacobson, Harold G., 1967-1988.
[5] Sprayregen, Seymour. “Harold Gordon Jacobson, MD.”