Elmer Gertz was born on September 14, 1906 in Chicago and died April 26, 2000. He entered the University of Chicago following graduation from Crane Technical High School and received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1930.

As a lawyer, Mr. Gertz is known nationally for his devotion to civil liberties and individual rights causes. He has been active in civic affairs for nearly six decades, and in 1969 was elected a delegate to the Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention, chairing its Bill of Rights Committee. He was awarded the State of Israel Prime Minister's Medal in 1972 and is the recipient of numerous other awards, honors and citations for his professional achievements and public service. He has written many books, pamphlets and articles, and there are references to him in Contemporary Authors and in various Who's Who publications. He was a professor at The John Marshall Law School for 29 years and was recently awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Mr. Gertz became a member of The Chicago Literary Club in 1961. He has served as Chairman of the Committees on Arrangements and Exercises, and on Officers and Members, and as President in 1977-78. He has presented twenty papers, the first in 1961, and the most recent in October 1997.

His obituary may be found in the April 28, 2000 Chicago Tribune. Click here for link.

Return to list of notable members