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Dr. Theodore Kenneth Lawless: Dermatologist, Businessman, and Philanthropist

Photo: Dr. Theodore K. Lawless (b. Dec. 6, 1892 - d. May 1, 1971)

Dr. Theodore Kenneth "T.K." Lawless had an extensive knowledge of dermatology that made him one of the leading international skin specialists of his time.

EARLY LIFE AND TRAINING

He was born to Rev. Alfred Lawless and Harriet Dunn Lawless in Thibodeaux, Louisiana in 1892. Lawless became a committed philanthropist after completing extensive academic studies and achieving worldwide success in his medical practice.

He attended Talladega College in 1914 where he earned his B.A. In 1919, he obtained an M.D. from Northwestern University School of Medicine, and an M.A. in 1920 from Northwestern University. He studied dermatology at Columbia University in 1920 and attended Harvard University in 1921.

From 1921-22, Lawless studied at the University of Paris. From 1922-23, he studied at the University of Freiburg, and from 1923-24 he studied at the University of Vienna. He became a noted lecturer in the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University in Chicago. He was also once a professor of physiology at Howard Medical School.

MEDICAL PRACTICE

Dr. Lawless created Chicago's largest and most respected dermatology clinics in the heart of the African American community. Patients came from across the nation for his coveted services. The clinics where located in the T.K. Lawless Professional Building, located at 4300 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.


Photo: T.K. Lawless Professional Buiding in Chicago at 4300 S. King Drive

His medical research contributed greatly towards establishing a cure to leprosy. His knowledge in dermatology and in the treatment of syphilis were used by both U.S. and European physicians. He served as a consultant to the U.S. Chemical Warfare Board. During World War II, he served on the Advisory Committee on venereal disease.

Dr. Lawless donated a research laboratory to Provident Hospital on the South Side of Chicago. A clinic in Israel was named after him to honor his $160,000 financial donations toward establishing a dermatology clinic (Lawless Department of Dermatology) at the Beilinson Hospital in Tel-Aviv, Israel. In 1954, Lawless was awarded the Spingarn Medal, the highest ranking NAACP award. By the 1960s, Ebony magazine listed Dr. Lawless among America's 35 Negro millionaires.

13 comments:

  1. I have a 21 year old daughter who suffers from psoriasis. I've heard from three sources Dr Lawless was the only Dr that helped control and one said he cured their moms psoriasis. I can't believe that his formula or treatments died with him. Does anyone know who is still around and practices what he taught or knows about treatment for psoriasis?

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    1. Dr Lawless was stopped from doing his treatment because of a individual's civil rights. Mainly to not be sterilized as the treatments consisted of radiation. His treatments worked for both my brother and I. He was a brilliant man and I will be grateful to him forever. Ps this was done before either of us were 5, I seem to remember it only working on young children. This was early 60's. If there was something after that I'm not aware.

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  2. Good luck on your research on Dr. Lawless. You may want to check on the Archives of Dermatogy resources (http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/summary/24/5/864), which has a Report co-authored by Dr. Lawless called REPORT ON "A NEW FORM OF THERAPY FOR PSORIASIS." I believe you have to pay for the backfiles of the this journal.

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  3. Dear Anonymous Thank you for you recent comment it is helpful

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  6. Please help us save our school name

    Alfred Lawless

    https://www.change.org/p/orleans-parish-school-board-change-the-name-back-to-alfred-lawless-high-school-new-orleans-louisiana/c

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alfred Lawless High School NEEDS your Support

    https://www.change.org/p/orleans-parish-school-board-change-the-name-back-to-alfred-lawless-high-school-new-orleans-louisiana/c

    ReplyDelete
  8. Please help us save our school name

    Alfred Lawless

    https://www.change.org/p/orleans-parish-school-board-change-the-name-back-to-alfred-lawless-high-school-new-orleans-louisiana/c

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was read that Dr. Theodore K. Lawless was a skin specialist (dermatologist) who became a millionaire form his studies, practice adn development of medicines. Same that Dr. Sanjay Parashar is one of the best plastic surgeon in Dubai. He is an excellent Dermatologist...thanks
    Dermatologist in Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dr Lawless treated my scalp as a child I was 4 years old. My hair which was already down my back at that age was falling out by the clumps. My scalp turned into one black scab. My Great Great Aunt took me to Dr Lawless in 43rd King Dr. He made a shampoo and salve. I had to get my scalp cleansed 3x a day and massaged with the salve ( it burned so bad at first). This was done for 3 months and then the shampoo and salve went to once a wk. By the age of 6 years old my hair grew back thicker and was down my back again. I am now 53 years old with a head full of beautiful hair. Thanks Dr Lawless as I know you have been in Paradise after your passing in 1971.

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  11. You have done a great job on this article. It’s very readable and highly intelligent. You have even managed to make it understandable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you.
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