T. Perceval Gerson (1872-1960) was a member of the Severance Club, a cultural conversation group, serving as president from 1917 until his death. He founded the Hollywood Bowl Association serving as charter board member and leader. Gerson was also a trustee of the Metropolitan University, director of the Southern California branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, physician to the California State Personnel Board as well as a member of the California State Medical Society and the Los Angeles County Medical Association. The collection consists of correspondence, papers, journals, newspaper clippings, photographs, and memorabilia relating to Dr. Gerson's medical practice, his presidency of the Severance Club of Los Angeles, leadership of the Hollywood Bowl Association, and interests in various social and political issues.

Gerson was born on May 27, 1872 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; awarded MD, University of Pennsylvania, 1895; pursued post-graduate work at Johns Hopkins Medical School for three years; interned in large eastern hospitals, and taught pathology at Johns Hopkins; practiced medicine in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, 1899-1903; in 1903 moved to Los Angeles, California; member of the Severance Club, a cultural conversation group, serving as president from 1917 until his death; founder, charter board member and leader of Hollywood Bowl Association; trustee of the Metropolitan University; director, the Southern California branch of the American Civil Liberties Union; physician to the California State Personnel Board; also a member of the California State Medical Society and the Los Angeles County Medical Association; died in Glendale, California in 1960. Doctor Theodore Perceval Gerson was long accorded a position of prominence in Hollywood. He was a skilled physician and surgeon. He also played a leading role in various cultural activities and socio-economic and political movements.

13 boxes (6.5 linear ft.) 2 oversize boxes

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. 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 where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.