B.G. Gross, Ph.D., papers

Biographical note

Bethuel “B.G.” Gross’s extensive career spanned both music and psychology. He served as the organist and music director at numerous churches, including the St. James Methodist Church in Chicago and the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, Illinois. Gross also held positions within university music departments, including the University of Akron, Shurtleff College (Alton, IL), and Loyola University Chicago. At Loyola, he also played the organ at commencement. Gross produced several original compositions, as well as a play called “The Sawdust Trail.” He won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers annual award on multiple occasions. Gross served as the Industrial Relations Director at the Chicago Metropolitan YMCA, as well as the Executive Secretary for the Northtown Industrial Management Club. He conducted personality and vocational tests, writing extensively on the subject of “Personalysis.” Gross was a prominent speaker, presenting lectures across the country. In additional to his professional roles, Gross contributed to myriad publications and newspapers, featured as a regular columnist for Musical Leader, Liberalist, and Food Management. He also gave sermons occasionally at Chicago-area Methodist churches. B.G. Gross passed away on March 25, 1991, at the age of 86.