Sacks, Benjamin, 1896-1971.

Benjamin Sacks was born on August 14th, 1896. He graduated from high school in three years and entered college at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, earning recognition as a Phi Beta Kappa for devotion to learning. Sacks advanced his education at Johns Hopkins in the School of Medicine. After he earned his M.D. in 1922, he began his career at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.

In 1923, Sacks, along with partner Dr. Emanuel Libman, discovered an uncommon heart ailment called the Libman-Sacks Syndrome reported in approximately 50% of fatal lupus cases. Sacks' work earned him respect and praise from the medical community. He was described by peers and supervisors as an extraordinarily able teacher and exceptionally well trained for investigative work. Despite a medical career cut short by health problems, Sacks was a significant contributor to the medical literature regarding heart pathology. See Series III. Writings.

Due to failing health and unable to continue the rigors of medicine in the 1950s, Dr. Sacks turned to the movie industry where he served as a technical advisor. Sacks worked with actors including Cary Grant, Bing Crosby, and Barry Fitzgerald. Known for his attention to detail, Sacks created film sets that were identical to a real hospital or doctor's office.

Over time, his interests shifted towards the study of history and genealogy of the American West. His correspondence with repositories and pioneering families eventually led him to Barry Goldwater. Sacks brought a scientific mind to his historical pursuits - a level of detail and intellectual inquiry more commonly found in a hospital laboratory. His research notes are a case in point. Sacks urged historians and repositories to take a more analytical approach to primary sources. He believed there were many more facts to be discovered about Territorial Arizona - a history partially obscured by myth and romance. See Sacks Collection of the American West.

In 1964, Sacks published, Be It Enacted: the Creation of the Territory of Arizona, a masterpiece of historical investigation and exposition for which he received the Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History. In 1970, Sacks released his second book, Arizona's Angry Man: United States Marshal Milton B. Duffield. His abiding interest, however, was Herman Ehrenberg. Years of exhaustive research did not result in a book publication.

Dr. Benjamin Sacks died on May 2, 1971 with boxes of historical documents at his bedside - a researcher to the very end.

From the description of Benjamin Sacks manuscript collection, 1921-1971 [manuscript]. (Scottsdale Public Library). WorldCat record id: 57315598