Karl Sudhoff (26 November 1853,Frankfurt am Main – 8 October 1938,Salzwedel) was a Germanhistorian of medicine, who founded the first institute for the history of medicine in the world.[1]
Sudhoff taught for years at theUniversity of Leipzig, where he founded the Institute for the History of Medicine (Institut für Geschichte der Medizin) and exercised strong control over the direction of German medical history. He also established the journalArchiv für Geschichte der Medizin, later renamedSudhoffs Archiv, and the monograph seriesStudien zur Geschichte der Medizin. As a researcher, he had a reputation for strength in archival research, and made a particular contribution to the revival of interest inParacelsus andConstantine the African. He retired in 1925, and was succeeded in his position at Leipzig byHenry E. Sigerist.[2]
In 1933 Sudhoff joined theNazi Party (NSDAP), to the great dismay of many of his peers, maintaining his membership for the rest of his life.[3] After Sigerist's 1932 departure forJohns Hopkins University, Sudhoff again headed the Institute at Leipzig before turning the position over toWalter von Brunn in November 1934.[4][5] He died inSalzwedel on October 8, 1938.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)