Clarence H. Nelson | |
---|---|
Born |
Clarence Henry Nelson Nov 8 1901 Rose Dell, Rock, Minnesota |
Died |
(aged 67) Los Angeles, California |
Nationality | US |
Occupation | Physician |
Known for | treating F. Scott Fitzgerald |
Spouse(s) | Dora L. Nibert (m 1966) |
Dr. Clarence Henry Nelson (Nov. 8, 1901, Rose Dell, Rock, Minnesota – Nov. 19, 1968, Los Angeles, California) was a Los Angeles physician who treated F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Nelson was a graduate of Stanford University (AB 1925) and Stanford School of Medicine, MD 1929, and was on the faculty of the University of Southern California School of Medicine.
Fitzgerald consulted Dr. Nelson complaining of “aches around the elbow and shoulder. . . whenever I have had a great orgy of cokes or coffee." Not long afterward, Fitzgerald believed that he had suffered a mild heart seizure while trying to open a window. When he raised his arms he felt a stab of pain that was so sharp it took his breath away; later there remained an unusual stiffness in his arms. Dr. Nelson decided this was not a heart attack but it was a warning to Fitzgerald to take better care of himself. On Feb 7, 1940, Fitzgerald wrote to Dr. Nelson, telling him that he was not drinking and would pay his medical bill soon. Fitzgerald died suddenly of a myocardial infarct in the apartment of Sheilah Graham, December 21, 1940, 5:15 pm, and Dr. Nelson signed the death certificate.Frances Kroll Ring, Fitzgerald's secretary, wrote that she paid Dr. Nelson's bill ($25) after Fitzgerald's death.
Dr. Nelson died in Los Angeles.