Leo Tolstoy Samuels was born on 15 November 1899 in Indianapolis, Indiana. From 1921 to 1925 he attended Emanuel Missionary College in Berruen Springs, Michigan. In 1930, he attended the University of Chicago where he earned his doctorate of philosophy in chemistry. After working in Los Angeles, California, for several years in the field of cancer research, Samuels became interested in the role of hormones in tumor growth. This interest eventually led to his specialization in endocrinology. In 1944, Samuels accepted the position of chairman of the Department of Biological of Biological Chemistry at the University of Utah. Under his leadership, the department expanded from one faculty member and one laboratory assistant to twelve faculty members, numerous laboratory technicians and assistants, and research fellowship students and graduate students from all over the world. Samuels was a member of various medical societies and won several awards for his work. On 30 March 1978, Samuels suffered from immediate heart failure and passed away.
From the guide to the Leo Tolstoy Samuels papers, 1902-1979, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)
