Samuel B. Frank Papers

Manuscript Collection No. 633

1924-1990. 8.5 Linear ft.

ACCESS AND PROVENANCE
The SAMUEL B. FRANK PAPERS were donated to the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives by Mrs. Joyce Whitehead of Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania in June 1990. Property are assigned to the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives. All literary rights to materials authored by Samuel B. Frank are held by his heirs. Literary rights to materials authored by others are held by the individual author or his/her heirs. Questions concerning rights should be addressed to the Director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.
The Samuel B. Frank are open to all users. The original manuscript collection is available in the reading room of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH top
Samuel Bergman Frank was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 7, 1909. His father, Yonkel-Jacob Frank, moved to the United States from Shpula, Russia in 1904 and married Yetta Bergman in 1907. Samuel had four brothers (Walter B. Frank, Dr. Barnett Frank, Arthur Frank, and Dr. Alfred Louis Frank) and one sister, Ruth, who died when she was nineteen months old. Frank entered Adelbert College of Western Reserve University (now Case Western Reserve) at age 16. He received his A.B. in 1930 and his degree of M.D. in 1933. After graduation, he completed his internship at Mt. Sinai Hospital of Cleveland. Frank trained as a dermatologist at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and Skin and Cancer Unit, finishing his post graduate medical schooling in 1938. Frank was appointed to the positions of Assistant Dermatologist of Vanderbilt Clinic, Presbyterian Hospital of New York in 1935; Assistant in Dermatology at Columbia University in 1937; and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Syphilology at New York University in 1939. His first medical practice was under the direction of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.
Frank's career in the military began in the Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1932. In 1933 he became a First Lieutenant in the Medical Corps, and during World War II he was promoted first to Captain, then to Major, and finally to Colonel in 1946. He also worked in the Dermatology Department at the U.S. Naval Hospital much later in his life. During World War II, serving with the Spearhead 3rd Armored Division, Frank followed the war from England and Scotland through Belgium and France and into Germany. While in Germany, he witnessed firsthand the liberation of Jewish prisoners. Frank received the Bronze Star and a Presidential Citation for his service in the U.S. Army. He remained in close contact throughout his life with several friends from his division.
After the war's conclusion, Frank resumed his private practice in White Plains, New York. White Plains would remain the headquarters of his private practice, even after Frank moved to San Diego in 1979. He returned to teaching at New York University, eventually becoming a full Professor of Clinical Dermatology. He was also an honorary staff member at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York, a member of the Editorial Board of Cutis and International Journal of Dermatology, and a consultant for various pharmaceutical firms and cosmetic Industries. Frank also appeared on several television shows as an expert on acne in the 1980's.
Frank was an active member and officer or board member of many medical societies and organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology; the Biomedical Research Institute of America, the Dermatology Society of Greater New York, the International Society of Dermatology, the American College of Physicians and the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, the New York Academy of Medicine, the Westchester Health Care Foundation, the AMA Medical Society of State of New York, the New York State Society of Dermatology, the Society for Investigative Dermatology; the Westchester Academy of Medicine and the Dermatology Section of the Westchester Medical Society.
Frank was a prolific writer as well. He was the author of Acne Vulgaris (1971), and the editor of Acne, Update for the Practitioner(1979), and of the March 1976 issue on acne of Cutis. Throughout his career, he collaborated on and independently submitted over sixty articles to professional journals on dermatologic subjects, particularly acne. In 1989, Frank received the Physician's Recognition Award from the American Medical Association in honor of his constant dedication to medicine. He remained a devoted author, speaker, educator, and physician until his death.
In addition to medicine, Frank actively pursued his hobby of philately. His particular interest was in revenue stamps of Great Britain and Ireland; these were the tax stamps which helped instigate the American Revolution. Frank was a member of the Collector of New York club, a twenty-five year member of the American Philatelic Society, and a member of the Royal Philatelic Society of London. He was a co-author of Embossed Revenue Stamps of Great Britain(1957), Stamp Duty of Great Britain and Ireland (1970, 1971, 1974), and Impressed Duty Stamps of Great Britain (1981). He also contributed numerous articles in philatelic literature.
Frank was a member of B'nai B'rith, a supporter of the San Diego Opera, and a member of the San Diego Zoological Society. Frank embarked on several vacations during his life, some personal and others business-related. Destinations included Russia, the Pacific Rim, and South America. Photos, souvenirs, and outlines of these trips can be found in various scrapbooks contained in the collection.
On June 12, 1934, Frank married Eleanor Koosed. They had two daughters: Joyce Meryl Whitehead and Amy Jo Frank. Frank was survived by his wife, his daughters, two brothers, and one grandson.
Samuel B. Frank died in 1989, at the age of 79.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE top
The Samuel B. Frank Papers describe the life of Samuel B. Frank as a dermatologist, educator, World War II veteran, and family man. The collection consists of scrapbooks containing articles by Frank, correspondence about his medical practice, programs, vacation photos, cards, and programs; photo albums from World War II; books; correspondence with Army friends; and other personal items, such as diplomas and obituaries. The span dates of the collection are 1924-1990, with the bulk of the material dated 1957-1989.
The collection is divided into three series based on the subject matter and format of the material.

A. MILITARY CAREER

B. PERSONAL LIFE AND MEDICAL CAREER

C. SCRAPBOOKS

All material within each series is arranged chronologically. All books, booklets, and letters are placed according to the publication date or post mark. The book entitled Division HQ Third armored Division: Forwards Echelon and Division Headquarters Company, which lacked such a date, is placed according to its subject matter. The bulk of the scrapbooks and the individual folders contain a limited range of years; however some cover an extended period of several decades. The pages of several scrapbooks (number 10, number 14, and years 1985-1987) have been transferred into groups of folders due to worn bindings on the original scrapbooks. Note that materials within the series of scrapbooks may relate to material within either of the other series.
Series A. 1934-1989 (Military Career) consists of one record center carton containing books, photo albums, army orders and correspondence related to Frank's military service. Materials in the series are dated 1934-1989, but the bulk is dated 1941-1989. The following are notable items: Frank's albums of photographs from the war (1/2 and 1/4) and correspondence with his army friends (1/6 and 1/7) including articles, pictures, maps, and army papers.
Series B. 1930-1990 (Personal Life and Medical Career) consists of 2 record center cartons containing diplomas, ID's, obituaries, condolence cards, an autobiographical manuscript by Frank's brother, books written by Frank about his medical and philatelic interests, and family trees. There are also plaques and certificates. Materials in the series are dated 1930-1990, but the bulk is dated 1971-1989. The following are notable items in Series B: Frank's medical book, Acne Vulgaris (2/2) and philatelic book (2/3), the autobiography of Frank's brother (2/5), and Frank's family trees (2/9).
Series C. 1924-1989 (Scrapbooks) consists of 7 record center cartons containing seventeen scrapbooks. Materials in the scrapbooks are dated 1924-1989, but the bulk is dated 1957-1989. All scrapbooks contain correspondence and articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank; programs; photos, maps, etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items. Additional items of interest for a particular scrapbook are detailed in the Box/Folder List. The following are notable items in Series C: Frank's combat diary (in Scrapbook #1 - 3/1) and television transcripts of Frank's appearances (in Scrapbook #15 - 7/6)
BOX AND FOLDER LIST top
Box      Folder     Contents

         SERIES A. 1934-1989  (Military Career)
1  1     US Army orders, appointments, qualifications, and records, 1934-1948
   2     Photo album of pictures with captions taken during military service in
         Pennsylvania, England, Scotland, Belgium, France, Germany (including liberated
         camps), June 1943 - June 1945.
   3     Wodner, Sgt. Frank.  Division HQ Third Armored Division: Forward Echelon and
         Division Headquarters Company - includes picture of Frank on page 16 and
         description of Division's actions, April 15, 1941 - May 8, 1945.
   4     Photo Album - mostly of postwar France, also a few notes written in 1987 and
         picture of Eisenhower sent in 1988, bulk 1945-46
   5     Seiverling, Richard F.  Short Stories of World War II - stories and poems written
         during WWII by a member of Frank's division; journal of Spearhead 3rd Armored
         Division's Actions, published 1947.
   6     Correspondence between Army friends from Frank's division, including articles
         from the 3rd Armored Division Association Newsletter, photographs, maps, and old
         Army papers, 1978-1980
   7     Correspondence between Army friends from Frank's division, including articles
         from the 3rd Armored Division Association Newsletter, photographs, maps, and old
         Army papers, 1982-1988
   8     "Spearhead 3rd Armored Division 1983 Directory" - listing of Frank living in
         California, 1983
   9     Willis, Donald J.  The Incredible Year.  Diary of Willis' days from June 1944 -
         June 1945 in the Spearhead 3rd Armored Division (Frank's division).  Published in
         1988
   10    Spearhead in the West . . .  The Third Armored Division 1941-1945 - contains
         description of division's activities and personnel during the war; enclosed is letter
         to Frank describing this new edition, 1989

         SERIES B. 1930-1990  (Personal Life and Medical Career)
2  1     "Diplomas, etc." - academic diplomas, medical appointments, military
         appointments, and miscellaneous certificates of recognition, 1930-1990
   2     Frank, Samuel B., M.D.  Acne Vulgaris.  1971
   3     Frank, Samuel B., M.D. and Josef Schonfeld.  The Stamp Duty of Great Britain
         and Ireland. Vol. 2.  1971
   4     ID's and parking permits, including World Jewish Congress Diplomat ID, 1976-
         1989
   5     Frank, Barnett, M.D.  How Barney brought a Jewish Dentist from Russia to U.S. -
         an autobiographical manuscript by Frank's brother, composed in 1987
   6     Obituaries and other material written for or about Frank's death; also includes
         posthumous publications
   7     Condolence Cards sent to Frank's wife upon his death, including note from the 
         White House sent with Frank's dog tags, May 1989
   8     Condolence Cards sent to Frank's wife upon his death, May 1989
   9     Three family trees, covering Frank's paternal and maternal families as well as his
         own descendants

3        Undated  gavel with his name engraved on it.
         Certificate from the Chicago Philatic Society.1981.
         President of the New York State Society of Dermatologists plaque. 1975..
         Thomas Edwin Field Award, Fire Philatic Association. 1975.
         Dermatology Society of Greater New York. 1969.
         American Board of Dermatology and Syphilogy. 1940.
         American College of Physicians membership.1974.

       SERIES C.   1924-1989 (Scrapbooks)
4 1    "Scrapbook #1: Childhood thru WWII" - articles by Frank; correspondence re:
       medical career; military orders; maps; posters; combat diary; and other war
       memorabilia, 1924-1972 (bulk 1924-1946)
  2    Scrapbook # 2 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps, etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, 1946-
       Dec 1956       
  3    Scrapbook #3 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, 1957 -
       June 1963
  4    Scrapbook #4 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, 1963-
       1966

5 1    Scrapbook #5 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, 1966-
       1968
  2    Scrapbook #6 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, 1968-
       1970
  3    Scrapbook #7 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, 1970-
       1971

6 1    Scrapbook #8 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, 1971-
       1973
  2    Scrapbook #9 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, Jan
       1974 - Mar 1975
  3    Scrapbook #10 (Part A) - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by
       Frank; programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items,
       1975-1976
  4    Scrapbook # 10 (Part B) - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by
       Frank; programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items,
       1975-1976

7 1    Scrapbook #11 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, 1976-
       1978

8 1    Scrapbook #12 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, March
       1978-Sept 1980
  2    Scrapbook #13 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by Frank;
       programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items, Sept
       1980 - Jan 82
9 1    Scrapbook # 14 (Part A) - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by
       Frank; programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items,
       Jan 1981 - Aug 1982
  2    Scrapbook # 14 (Part B) - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by
       Frank; programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items,
       Jan 1981 - Aug 1982
  3    Scrapbook # 14 (Part C) - correspondence/articles re: medical practice; articles by
       Frank; programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other personal items,
       Jan 1981 - Aug 1982
  4    Scrapbook # 15 - correspondence/articles re: medical practice, including
       transcripts from television programs on which Frank appeared as a expert on acne;
       articles by Frank; programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other
       personal items, Sept 1983 - Jan 1985 

10 1   Unnumbered Scrapbook (Part A) - correspondence/articles re: medical practice;
       articles by Frank; programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other
       personal items, 1985 - 1987
  2    Unnumbered Scrapbook (Part B) - correspondence/articles re: medical practice;
       articles by Frank; programs; photos, maps etc. re: vacations; cards and other
       personal items, 1985 - 1987 
  3    Scrapbook #16 - largely unfilled; loose material at end, 1987 - 1989
top
Copyright © 1999 Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives