Elmer Belt


Elmer Belt was an American urologist, surgeon and pioneer in sex reassignment surgery. He was also known as a collector of works relating to Leonardo da Vinci that now reside in the University of California, Los Angeles Library System.

Early life and education

Arthur Elmer Belt was born April 10, 1893. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1916, a master's degree in 1917 and a doctorate in 1920. Belt was a member of the first class taught by Herbert McLean Evans.

Career

Dr. Belt was associate professor of urology and clinical professor of surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. Dr. Belt began performing male to female sex change operations after being contacted by Dr. Harry Benjamin. Before the Christine Jorgensen story became headline news, Belt had been quietly performing sex changes for a few years. He performed primarily male-to-female operations but did perform a few female-to-male. Some of his most well known patients were Patricia Morgan, Mario Martino and Aleshia Brevard. After family pressure, Dr. Belt finally ceased performing sex change operations in 1962.
Dr. and Mrs. Belt gave some notable collections to Los Angeles-area academic libraries:
Belt married the former Mary Ruth Smart in 1919. The couple had two sons, Charles Elmer and Bruce Gregory.
Dr. Belt died on May 17, 1980, aged 87.

Published works

Awards and honors