Rudolf Weigl

Rudolf Weigl

Rudolf Weigl, Polish biologist and inventor

Born	2 September 1883
Birth place	Prerau, Austria-Hungary (now Přerov, Czech Republic)
Died	11 August 1957
Place of death	Zakopane, Poland
Nationality	Polish
Known for	Development of the first effective vaccine against epidemic typhus

Rudolf Stefan Weigl (2 September 1883 – 11 August 1957) was a Polish biologist and inventor, best known for creating the first effective vaccine against epidemic typhus. His work was instrumental in combating the spread of this deadly disease, particularly during times of war and in concentration camps.

Early Life and Education

Rudolf Weigl was born in Prerau, Austria-Hungary (now Přerov, Czech Republic). He studied at the University of Lwów (now Lviv, Ukraine), where he earned his doctorate in zoology, comparative anatomy, and histology in 1907. Weigl's early research focused on the physiology of insects, which laid the groundwork for his later work on typhus.

Career and Research

Weigl began his career as an assistant professor at the University of Lwów, where he conducted research on the lice that transmit typhus. During World War I, he was conscripted into the Austro-Hungarian army and tasked with developing a vaccine against typhus, a disease that was ravaging soldiers and civilians alike.

In 1918, Weigl developed a method to cultivate the typhus bacterium, Rickettsia prowazekii, in the intestines of lice. He then used these infected lice to create a vaccine. This process involved feeding lice on human volunteers, a practice that was both risky and controversial.

World War II and Humanitarian Efforts

During World War II, Weigl's institute in Lwów became a center for vaccine production. He employed many Jewish and Polish intellectuals, providing them with protection from Nazi persecution. His work saved countless lives, both through the distribution of the vaccine and by sheltering those at risk of deportation to concentration camps.

Legacy

Rudolf Weigl's contributions to science and humanity were recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of Polonia Restituta. Despite the challenges he faced, Weigl's dedication to his work and his humanitarian efforts left a lasting impact on the field of medicine and on those he helped during the war.

Also see

• Epidemic typhus
• Rickettsia prowazekii
• Vaccine development
• History of medicine
• University of Lwów