Elmer Belt, M.D. (1893-1980), was an internationally recognized urologist, a book lover who built and donated several important collections to universities including an unrivaled library of scholarly materials by and about Leonardo da Vinci, and a civic activist instrumental in the founding of the UCLA School of Medicine. His interests were wide and his energy unflagging. This collection of professional and personal papers, contributed by the estate of his nephew Willard Goodwin, M.D., illustrates Dr. Belt's intellectual interests, gracious concern for people of all stations, and his contributions to the science and practice of urology. Unfortunately severe mildew had attacked seven of the original 32 boxes of the gift and these had to be discarded.

Elmer Belt, M.D. (1893-1980), was a Los Angeles area urologist, bibliophile, and humanist who was instrumental in the founding of the School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). An avid book collector, Dr. Belt became an expert on Leonardo da Vinci and his time, amassing a large and important collection of books and other material related to da Vinci's life and work. He donated this collection to UCLA in 1961.

26 boxes (27 linear ft.)

Property rights in the physical objects belong to the UCLA Biomedical Library. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish if the Biomedical Library does not hold the copyright.

The collection is open for research, but access to some materials are restricted due to patient or legal confidentiality protocols. If a folder is missing from its assigned box, have staff check the Restricted Files series. All materials are stored off site and require advance notice for use. Please contact History and Special Collections for the Sciences, UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, 310.825.6940, to arrange for use.