Richard Selzer

Richard Selzer (June 24, 1928 – June 15, 2016) was an American surgeon and author known for his collections of essays and short stories that explore the intersection of medicine and literature. His work often delves into the ethical and moral dimensions of medical practice, as well as the human experience of illness and healing.

Early Life and Education

Richard Selzer was born in Troy, New York. He attended Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He then went on to receive his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1953.

Medical Career

After completing his medical degree, Selzer served in the United States Army as a medical officer. Following his military service, he completed his surgical residency at Yale University, where he later joined the faculty and practiced as a surgeon for many years.

Literary Career

Selzer began writing seriously in the 1970s, drawing on his experiences as a surgeon to inform his work. His first collection of essays, Mortal Lessons: Notes on the Art of Surgery, was published in 1976 and received critical acclaim. He went on to publish several more collections, including Confessions of a Knife (1979) and Letters to a Young Doctor (1982).

Selzer's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose and deep empathy for patients. His stories often explore the emotional and psychological aspects of medical practice, as well as the broader human condition. He has been compared to other physician-writers such as William Carlos Williams and Anton Chekhov.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Selzer received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to literature and medicine. These include the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Selected Works

• Mortal Lessons: Notes on the Art of Surgery (1976)
• Confessions of a Knife (1979)
• Letters to a Young Doctor (1982)
• Raising the Dead: A Doctor's Encounter with His Own Mortality (1993)
• The Doctor Stories (1998)

Legacy

Richard Selzer's work continues to be influential in both the medical and literary communities. His essays and stories are frequently included in medical humanities curricula, and he is remembered as a pioneer in the field of narrative medicine.

See Also

• Narrative medicine
• Medical humanities
• Physician writer