Dr. Samuel A. Levine and Rosalind Weinberg Papers
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains papers and artifacts belonging to esteemed cardiologist Dr. Samuel A. Levine and his wife, philanthropist and artist Rosalind Weinberg. Artifacts include two helmets from Levine’s time in the military in the early 20th century, various U.S. Army-branded buttons as well as pins from several medical establishments, a medallion from the 13th International Physiological Congress, and a pen belonging to David Ben-Gurion. The documents include diplomas of Levine’s, correspondence, newspaper clippings from Jewish and local papers, issues of medical journals, programs from Brigham hospital events, notices of Weinberg’s philanthropic work from Beth Israel Hospital, Hadassah, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and photographs.
Dates
- undated, 1923-1993.
Creator
- Weinberg, Rosalind, 1901-1987 (Person)
- Levine, Samuel A., Dr., 1891-1966 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Conditions Governing Use
There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Biographical Note
Samuel A. Levine was born on January 1, 1891, in Lomza, Poland as the eighth of ten children. After moving to Boston in 1894 at just age three, his childhood was characterized by intelligence and poverty. He worked multiple menial labor jobs as a child while simultaneously speeding through early education and earning a scholarship to Harvard College, from where he graduated early at age 20 in 1911, after which he attended Harvard Medical School for three years. During his time as a graduate student, he became the first medical student to work at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, which was a brand new institution at the time. Levine planned to continue his education by attending graduate school abroad, but these plans were interrupted by World War I. In 1917, shortly after the United States declared war, the United Kingdom commissioned the U.S. to provide medical troops. Levine volunteered, spending one year at the British Heart Hospital in Colchester and one year in Vittel, France. Upon his return home in 1919 following the end of the war, he officially joined the Brigham Hospital staff, where he would spend the rest of his professional career and become a licensed physician in 1940.
On June 20, 1926, Levine married Rosalind Weinberg, a Boston native and artist. Weinberg attended both the Massachusetts College of Art and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and continued to practice her craft throughout her life, designing a crest for the Brigham Hospital while her husband was on the staff as a physician. She spent most of her married life as a dedicated philanthropist as well, actively participating in and donating money to organizations such as Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Hadassah, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and more.
Weinberg and Levine had three children together and remained married until Levine’s death in 1966 at age 75. Weinberg tragically passed away in a car accident in 1987 at the age of 86.
References
- Materials from the collection.
- Levine, H.J. (1992), Samuel A. Levine (1891–1966). Clin Cardiol, 15: 473-476. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.4960150618.
Chronology
- 1891
- Levine is born in Lomza, Poland.
- 1894
- Levine moves to Boston, Mass.
- 1913
- Levine becomes the first medical student to work at Brigham Hospital
- 1917
- Levine volunteers to join the British medical corps in World War I.
- 1926
- Levine and Weinberg get married.
- 1940
- Levine is appointed physician at Brigham Hospital.
- 1966
- Levine dies in Newton, Mass.
- 1987
- Weinberg dies in Newton, Mass.
Extent
1.5 linear feet (1 records box, 2 oversized folders.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains materials belonging to esteemed cardiologist Dr. Samuel A. Levine and his wife, philanthropist and artist Rosalind Weinberg. Materials include artifacts and documents such as correspondence, newspaper clippings from Jewish and local papers, issues of medical journals, programs, recognitions of philanthropy, and photographs.
Abstract
This collection is in English.
Arrangement
Arranged thematically into one series.
Physical Location
Located in Boston, Mass.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Sandra Levine, 2017 and 2021.
Processing Information
Processed by Eliana Lippman in 2025.
- Art
- Artifacts (object genre)
- Awards
- Beth Israel Hospital (Boston, Mass.)
- Boston (Mass.)
- Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston
- Correspondence
- Diplomas
- Drawings (visual works)
- Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America
- Medicine -- Practice.
- Newton (Mass.)
- Peter Bent Brigham Hospital
- Philanthropy -- United States
- Photographs
- Programs (documents)
- Publications (documents)
- United States -- Armed forces -- Military life
- World War, 1914-1918
- Title
- Dr. Samuel A. Levine and Rosalind Weinberg Papers
- Author
- Eliana Lippman
- Date
- 2025
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository