Lester Breslow

As a student, Breslow (1915–2012) was one of the leaders of the anti-war movement, both nationally and on the campus. He became a freshman in 1932 and appeared on the Chase lists from his undergraduate days through his appointment as a physician at the University—he was always listed as “Russian Jew Communist.” Breslow also complained to the administration about the segregation of student housing.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1938 and received a Master of Public Health in 1941.

Dr. Breslow had a distinguished career as a physician and public health scholar. He headed the California Department of Public Health from 1965 to 1968, and was Dean of UCLA’s School of Public Health from 1972 to 1980.