Description
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Levi-Montalcini, Rita, Vertical File
Date(s)
Extent
0.02 Linear Feet
Name of creator
Biographical history
Rita Levi-Montalcini was born in Turin, Italy, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Turin Medical School in 1936 despite her father's objections to her enrolling in college and his his belief that women should not pursue careers. Levi-Montalcini completed a specialized degree in neurology and psychiatry in 1940 but was forced to conduct research from her bedroom due to the Fascist laws preventing Italian Jews from practicing medicine or working in universities at that time.
After the war, Levi-Montalcini returned to work as an assistant at the University of Turin Institute of Anatomy. In 1947 she accepted an invitation to collaborate as a research associate with Viktor Hamburger, head of the Zoology Department of Washington University in St. Louis, who had been interested in articles she published in foreign scientific journals. Levi-Montalcini only planned on staying at Washington University for less than one year and ended up staying for 30 years. She became an associate professor of Zoology in 1951, and a full professor in 1958. Levi-Montalcini began dividing her time between St. Louis and Rome in the early 1960s, and established a joint research program between Washington University and the Higher Institute of Health in Rome from 1961-1969. She retired as professor emeritus of Biology in 1977.
Rita Levi-Montalcini shares the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 1986 with Stanely Cohen for their discoveries of growth factors that expand our understanding of deformities, senile-dementia, delayed wound healing, and tumor diseases. Levi-Montalcini received many additional honors and awards throughout her career, including the Max Weinstein Award given by the United Cerebral Palsy Association in 1963. Levi-Montalcini was the first woman to receive this award. Levi-Montalcini died in Rome, Italy in 2012 at 103 years old, becoming the longest-living Nobel Laureate.
Scope and content
System of arrangement
Conditions governing access
The Vertical File Collection is open and accessible for research.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Users of the collection should read and abide by the Rights and Permissions guidelines at the Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives.
Users of the collection who wish to cite items from this collection, in whole or in part, in any form of publication must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Archives.
For detailed information regarding use of this collection, contact the Archives and Rare Book Department of the Becker Library (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Preferred Citation:
Item description, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
See also Nobel Prize Winners files.
Related descriptions
- Washington University Magazine, Fall 1963, Pages 29-32.
- Washington University Magazine, Winter 1969, Page 6.
- Washington University Record, September 5, 1974, Page 3.
- Washington University Magazine, Spring 1975, Page 40.
- Washington University Record, April 24, 1975, Page 1.
- Washington University Record, May 1, 1975, Page 3.
- Washington University Magazine, Fall 1978, Pages 14-17.
- Washington University Record, September 14, 1978, Page 1.
- Washington University Record, September 14, 1978, Page 4.
- Washington University Record, September 13, 1979, Page 3.
- Washington University School of Medicine Outlook Magazine, Winter 1984, Page17.
- Washington University in the News, July 1983-February 1984, Page 15.
- Washington University Magazine, Summer 1984, Page 5.
- Washington University School of Medicine Outlook Magazine, Fall 1984, Page 5.
- Washington University Record, July 4, 1985, Page 1.
- Washington University Alumni News, Fall 1985, Page 2.
- Washington University Record, October 23, 1986, Page 1.
- Washington University Alumni News, Autumn 1986, Page 2.
- Washington University Record, April 30, 1987, Page 3.
- Washington University Magazine, Spring 1987, Pages 12-19.
- Washington University Record, March 19, 1987, Pages 1-2.
- Washington University Record, July 2, 1987, Page 1.
- Washington University Record, August 6, 1987, Page 1.
- Washington University Record, September 3, 1987, Page 10.
- Washington University Magazine, Fall 1987, Page 4.
- Washington University Record, March 3, 1988, Page 3.
- Washington University Record, October 26, 1989, Page 1.
- Washington University Alumni News, Summer 1990, Page 3.
- Washington University Magazine and Alumni News, Midsummer 1992, Pages 8-12.
- Washington University Record, October 29, 1992, Page 3.
- Washington University Record, January 14, 1993, Page 2.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Rules or conventions
"Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Second Edition (DACS), 2013."
Sources used
Archivist's note
© Copyright 2019 Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives. All rights reserved.
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Levi-Montalcini, Rita (Subject)