Leo Alexander

Leo Alexander (October 11, 1905 – July 20, 1985) was an American psychiatrist, neurologist, educator, and author, of Austrian-Jewish origin. He is most prominently remembered for his work with the Nuremberg Trials, where he served as a key medical advisor.

Early Life and Education

Leo Alexander was born on October 11, 1905, in Vienna, Austria. He completed his early education in Vienna before moving to the United States for his higher studies. He graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1933, specializing in psychiatry and neurology.

Career

After his graduation, Alexander worked as a research associate at the Boston Psychopathic Hospital. He later served as a neuropsychiatrist in the United States Army during World War II. After the war, he was appointed as a medical investigator for the Nuremberg Trials. His work during the trials, particularly his report on the medical experiments conducted in concentration camps, is considered a significant contribution to the field of medical ethics.

Alexander also had a successful academic career. He served as a professor at Boston University and was a prolific author, writing extensively on neurology, psychiatry, and medical ethics.

Contributions to Medical Ethics

Leo Alexander's work during the Nuremberg Trials had a profound impact on the development of medical ethics. His report, "Medical Science Under Dictatorship," published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1949, detailed the horrific medical experiments conducted in concentration camps. This report played a crucial role in the formulation of the Nuremberg Code, a set of research ethics principles for human experimentation.

Death and Legacy

Leo Alexander died on July 20, 1985. His contributions to medical ethics, particularly his work on the Nuremberg Code, continue to influence the field of medical research.