Brook, Jacob D. (Jacob Daniel), 1876-1956.

Grandville, Kent County, Michigan, physician and public health official.

From the description of Jacob D. Brook papers, 1886-1954. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34420442

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1876, Jacob Daniel Brook moved with his family to the community of Grandville in Kent County, Michigan; and it was to this area that he returned when he completed his medical education at the Detroit College of Medicine (1902).

Following his graduation, Brook worked successively as the Health Officer of Wyoming Township in Kent County (1904-1930), and as Kent County Health Officer (1931-1954). Considered by many as a pioneer in preventative public health, Brook worked to establish clinics for immunization against diphtheria and whooping cough. In 1910, Brook brought suit against the city of Grand Rapids for what he considered the pollution of Grandville's water system.

Though his medical career centered in Grandville, Brook held important positions in various professional organizations. He was president of the Grand Rapids Academy of Medicine (1914), and the Kent County Medical Society (1915). He was also involved in the Michigan Public Health Association (president in 1937), the Michigan State Medical Society (president in 1929), and the State Board of Registration in Medicine (president in 1940). In addition, for 28 consecutive years (1907-1935), Brook served as delegate to the Michigan State Medical Society; and for 21 years (1917-1938), he was a delegate to the annual meeting of the American Medical Association. In this latter capacity, Brook exerted his influence within the A.M.A. on the issue of birth control (1935).

From the guide to the Jacob D. Brook papers, 1886-1954, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)