George Glenner Papers, 1932 - 1995 (MSS 389)

Extent: 9.2 Linear feet (8 archives boxes and 6 records cartons)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Framed photographs were removed from their frames and consolidated into Box 1 in 2025. There is no Box 3 in the collection.

Container List

BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS

Scope and Content of Series

Series 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS: Contains articles and clippings (1945-1995) about Glenner. Also included are flyers and pamphlets documenting Glenner's activities, photographs of Glenner and memorabilia.

Box 1 Folder 1
Articles and clippings about Glenner, 1945 - 1977
Box 1 Folder 2
Articles and clippings about Glenner, 1978 - 1995
Box 1 Folder 3
Biographical materials, 1950 - 1995
Box 2 Folder 1
Memorabilia - Medical bag, lab coat and captain's hat
Box 1 Folder 4-5
Photographs of Glenner, 1932-1993

NOTEBOOKS

Scope and Content of Series

Series 2) 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.

Box 4 Folder 1
Alzheimer's
Box 4 Folder 2
Alzheimer's I

2/20/1981 - 10/7/1981.

Box 4 Folder 3
Alzheimer's II

11/9/1981 - 12/2/1982.

Box 4 Folder 4
Bladder
Box 4 Folder 5
Clinical Microscopy, 1953
Box 4 Folder 6
Columns, 1981
Box 4 Folder 7
Consultations, 1981 - 1982
Box 4 Folder 8
GEE
Box 4 Folder 9
Immunization, 1981
Box 4 Folder 10
Pathology
Box 4 Folder 11
Pathology - Lab Book
Box 4 Folder 12
Pathology - Tissue Fractions, 1982

WRITINGS BY GLENNER

Scope and Content of Series

Series 3) WRITINGS BY GLENNER: Arranged in two subseries: A) Bibliography and B) Miscellaneous Writings. A) Bibliography: 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. B) Miscellaneous Writings: Consists of materials related to Alzheimer's disease, aging and the impacts of Alzheimer's on families. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.

Bibliography

Box 5 Folder 1
Bibliography (bound reprints) - Volume I
Box 5 Folder 2
Bibliography (bound reprints) - Volume II
Box 6 Folder 1
Bibliography (bound reprints) - Volume III

Miscellaneous Writings

Box 6 Folder 2
Alzheimer's Disease, 1991
Box 6 Folder 3
Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Aging, 1989
Box 6 Folder 4
Book of Joy, 1993
Box 6 Folder 5
California Alzheimer's Disease Task Force Report on Insurance Coverage for Respite and Related Care, 1987
Box 6 Folder 6
Crucible - Family Dilemmas in Alzheimer's Disease: Day Care - An Alternative, 1985
Box 6 Folder 7
Delirium, Dementia, and Amnestic and Other Cognitive Disorders

Chapter 16 in PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (1996).

Box 6 Folder 8
Hearing on California Alzheimer's Disease Task Force Report, 1987
Box 6 Folder 9
Mortality/Morbidity Conference, 1981
Box 6 Folder 10
Prefaces and introductions
Box 6 Folder 11
Presentation to the California Department of Aging on Long-Term Care Issues Impacting Alzheimer's Families, 1994
Box 6 Folder 12
School of Medicine Associates (SOMA) Award Speech, 1995
Box 6 Folder 13
Symposium on Amyloidosis Speech, 1979
Box 6 Folder 14
Testimony for the Senate Special Committee on Aging Hearing, 1988
Box 6 Folder 15
Tumors of the Extra-Adrenal Paraganglion System (Including Chemoreceptors), 1974

With Philip M. Grimley, M.D. [bibliography item #114].

CORRESPONDENCE

Scope and Content of Series

Series 4) CORRESPONDENCE: Contains two framed letters and a file of letters (1948-1995) of commendation and congratulation written to Glenner.

Box 7 Folder 1
Bush, George, 1990
Box 7 Folder 2
Letters of commendation and congratulation, 1948 - 1995
Oversize AB-06-F01
Poag, John, 1982

Framed letter.

Oversize AB-06-F02
Williams, T. Franklin, 1988

Framed letter.

CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS

Scope and Content of Series

Series 5) CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS: Arranged in two subseries: A) Certificates and B) Awards. Certificates are arranged chronologically (1942-1991). Awards also contain related articles (1973-1995).

Certificates

Box 7 Folder 5
Certificates, 1942 - 1985
Box 7 Folder 6
Certificates, 1986 - 1991
Oversize AB-06-F06
Framed certificate from Mount Sinai Hospital, 1954
Box 8 Folder 1
Memorabilia - Framed certificates, 1953 - 1995

Awards

Box 9 Folder 1
Articles and clippings on awards, 1983 - 1995
Oversize AB-06-F07
Captain U.S. Public Health Service - Framed medals, 1979
Oversize AB-06-F03
County of San Diego California Award, 1989
Oversize AB-06-F05
Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina Award, 1973
Oversize AB-06-F08
Metropolitan Life Foundation Award
Oversize AB-06-F04
State of California - Executive Department Award, 1983
Box 10 Folder 1
Awards, 1973 - 1989
Box 11 Folder 1
Awards, 1990 - 1993
Box 12 Folder 1
Awards, 1994 - 1995

AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS

Scope and Content of Series

Series 6) AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS: 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.

Slides

Box 13 Folder 1
Toward an Understanding of Alzheimer's Disease: Major Research Contributions by George Glenner

25 slides and caption list.

Videorecordings

Box 13 Folder 2
Alzheimer's Training Series

2 VHS tapes.

Box 13 Folder 3
Alzheimer's Day Care Segment - Physician's Journal Medicine

1 VHS tape.

Box 13 Folder 4
CNN Alzheimer's Special

1 VHS tape.

Box 13 Folder 5
Glenner - Alzheimer's Research

1 VHS tape.

Box 14 Folder 1
Golden Rule Award

1 VHS tape.

Box 14 Folder 2
Metropolitan Alzheimer's Research Award

1 VHS tape.

Box 14 Folder 3
San Diego Police Department Alzheimer's Training

1 VHS tape.

Box 14 Folder 4
Sharing the Caring I and II

2 VHS tapes.

GEORGE G. GLENNER ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY CENTER, INC.

Scope and Content of Series

Series 7) GEORGE G. GLENNER ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY CENTER, INC.: Contains annual reports, conference material, grant applications, and a training manual.

Box 15 Folder 1
Annual reports

1988 and 1994.

Box 15 Folder 2
Fourth International Conference, 1994
Box 15 Folder 3
Grant application, 1990

Development and Assessment of a Comprehensive Training Program.

Box 15 Folder 4
Grant application, 1992

Cerebrovascular Amyloid Protein.

Box 15 Folder 5
Grant application, 1992

Survivorship Care and Training Program.

Box 15 Folder 6
Miscellaneous
Box 15 Folder 7
Training manual