Schwartz, Samuel

Samuel Schwartz was born April 13, 1916 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Russian immigrants. He earned both a B.S. (1938) and a M.D. (1943) from the University of Minnesota, where he spent most of his academic career. Schwartz was a pioneering worker in biomedical studies, especially involving the biological effects of radiation and metals. His contributions to the field of medicine are found in several tests, such as the “Watson-Schwartz Test,” the “HemoQuant Test,” and pioneering research into radiation diagnoses and treatment for diseases.

Schwartz began working on porphyrins (macrocycle, or macromolecule with rings of atoms) and bile pigments while washing glassware dishes in his freshman year at the University of Minnesota in 1934 under Dr. Cecil. J. Watson. His work in porphyrin metabolism, essential molecules that bind metals, such as hemoglobin in the blood, led him to developing a test for acute intermittent porphyria, an inherited defect that causes abdominal pain and neurological disturbances.

In 1943, Schwartz was invited by Dr. Watson to move to Chicago to work on a secret Army Project. Originally believing that his lab would be studying malaria, he became a group leader over twenty-five investigators in the Manhattan Project (University of Chicago) working on the biological effects of radiation and metals from 1943-1946. During his work for the Manhattan Project he devised a new test for uranium contamination in urine and feces which was more sensitive than any other test in the period.

Schwartz then moved on to a two year Fellowship, eventually ending up in Copenhagen as a visiting professor until 1948, when he returned to the University of Minnesota. Schwartz conducted research on photophoresis, where intense light can induce motion in particles suspended in a gas, and on lead poisoning in humans and birds (Schwartz was an avid bird watcher). He also developed the HemoQuant Test, which led to the earlier detection of colorectal carcinoma.

Dr. Samuel Schwartz was recognized as an expert on porphyrin and heme metabolism, publishing numerous scientific papers and receiving US Public Health Service research career award. He was also a member of the American Society of Biology and Chemistry, American Society of Clinical Investigation, American Association of Cancer Research, and the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. In addition to his academic work, Schwartz was also a poet, singer, and political and conservation activist, publishing and speaking on behalf of the state of Israel and for bird conservatories. He died on December 5, 1997 in Minneapolis due to complications from lymphoma at the age of eighty-one.

From the guide to the Schwartz, Samuel. Papers, 1940-1997, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)

Samuel Schwartz was born and raised in North Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota, earning his bachelor's degree in 1938 and medical degree in 1943. While a medical student, he and University faculty member Dr. Cecil Watson developed the Watson-Schwartz test, a test to diagnosis acute intermittent porphyria, a hereditary condition. After finishing his Ph.D., Dr. Schwartz joined the Manhattan Project in Chicago, studying the biological effects of atomic radiation.

Dr. Schwartz joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1948 as an associate professor of medicine; he was later promoted to professor. His focus of research was on porphyrins, compounds found in blood hemoglobin. Besides the development of the Watson-Schwartz test, his research led to more successful cancer treatments including the HemoQuant screening test for colon cancer. Other research on pigment biochemistry led to an explanation of why robins' eggs are blue in color. Dr. Schwartz retired from the University of Minnesota in 1983, but continued to conduct volunteer research at the Raptor Center, focusing on lead poisoning in birds. Samuel Schwartz died in December 1997. In 1998, the University of Minnesota posthumously awarded Dr. Schwartz the Outstanding Achievement Award, the highest honor given to an alumnus of the University.

From the guide to the Samuel Schwartz papers, 1948-1985, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])