Lucie Adelsberger

Lucie Adelsberger (12 April 1895 – 2 November 1971) was a German-Jewish physician and immunologist. She is best known for her work in the field of immunology and her survival and documentation of the Holocaust.

Early Life and Education

Lucie Adelsberger was born on 12 April 1895 in Nuremberg, Germany. She pursued her medical studies at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and later at the University of Berlin, where she earned her medical degree in 1920.

Career

Adelsberger specialized in pediatrics and immunology. She worked at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, where she conducted significant research on allergies and immune system responses. Her work contributed to the understanding of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions.

Holocaust and Concentration Camps

During the Nazi regime, Adelsberger, being Jewish, faced severe persecution. In 1943, she was deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Despite the horrific conditions, she continued to practice medicine, providing care to fellow prisoners. She was later transferred to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she remained until the camp was liberated in 1945.

Post-War Life and Legacy

After the war, Adelsberger emigrated to the United States, where she continued her medical practice and research. She documented her experiences during the Holocaust, contributing to the historical record of the atrocities committed. Her memoirs provide a detailed account of the medical conditions and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.

Lucie Adelsberger passed away on 2 November 1971 in New York City.

See Also

• Immunology
• Holocaust survivors
• Auschwitz concentration camp
• Ravensbrück concentration camp
• Robert Koch Institute