VIRCHOW, Rudolf. Schivelbein (now Świdwin in Poland) 13.10.1821 — Berlin 5.9.1902. German Anatomist and Anthropologist. Son of Carl Christian Siegfried Virchow, farmer and town treasurer, and Johanna Maria Hesse. Gymnasium in Köslin (Koszalin). Studies of medicine at Berlin. Professor of Pathologic Anatomy at Würzburg in 1849-56 and at Berlin from 1856. In 1880-93 Member of German Parliament, as a Liberal opposing to Bismarck. Married 1850 Ferdinande Rosalie Mayer, three daughters and three sons.
Virchow is famous in the history of medicine, but a minor footnote in South Asian studies. Unlike many contemporary anthropologist he was anti-racist and argued against anti-semitic propaganda. But he was also an anti-Darwinist. Adolf Bastian was his student.
Publications: Numerous medical publications, edited the “Virchow’s Archiv”.
–“The Veddas of Ceylon, and their Relation to Neighbouring Tribes”, JRAS-CB 9:33, 1886 (1888), 349-495 (translated from ABeAW 1881).
Sources: *H. Schipperges, R.V. Reibek 1994; Wikipedia with 6 photos (also German version, both with many further references).
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