Harry Friedenwald: Collecting Jewish Doctors

The Friedenwald Collection Masterpost

What have the Jews contributed to medicine? This question became vital in the late 19^th century, a time of rising antisemitism. When medical authorities labeled Jews in poor urban enclaves as diseased, they lent support to those who saw the growing Jewish immigrant population as a plague on society.

But if the language of medicine denigrated Jews, it could also defend them. Many—Jews and non-Jews, alike—shared the view of Dr. Aaron Friedenwald (1836-1902), who stated in a speech given in 1896 that “in the teachings of Moses in regard to disease, we shall find the wisest legislation for the most complete system of public hygiene.” Advocates of the Jews could also point to a long history of achievements by Jewish physicians. By highlighting a legacy of health and healing, they attempted to counteract negative stereotypes.

Aaron’s son Harry Friedenwald (1864-1950), a noted ophthalmologist, was among these defenders of the Jewish people. He amassed a vast library that not only documents Jewish medical contributions from the Middle Ages to modernity, but also illustrates how Jews have viewed themselves through the lens of medicine.

Harry Friedenwald's personal bookplate. Gift of Efrem Potts, JMM. 1996.10.5 — Harry Friedenwald’s personal bookplate. Gift of Efrem Potts, JMM. 1996.10.5

We’ll be updating this post with links to more specific entries about each of the volumes we’ve chosen to feature in the exhibit! Follow us on twitter or friend us on facebook to keep informed about updates.

Library Case 1

The monk Constantinus Africanus translated Isaac’s works in the early 12th century, claiming them as his own. A 16th century compendium, Omnia Opera Isaac, sought to rectify this fraud. The publication announced its reclamation of the author’s reputation in this image of Isaac flanked by Constantinus and Haly Abbas (another giant of the world of ancient medicine). Image from the Omnia Opera Isaac, 1515. Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine. CP7.2016.1 — The monk Constantinus Africanus translated Isaac’s works in the early 12th century, claiming them as his own. A 16th century compendium, Omnia Opera Isaac, sought to rectify this fraud. The publication announced its reclamation of the author’s reputation in this image of Isaac flanked by Constantinus and Haly Abbas (another giant of the world of ancient medicine).
Image from the Omnia Opera Isaac, 1515. Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine. CP7.2016.1

Codex containing portions of Sefer Asaph haRofe, Sefer haYakar by Shabbetai Donnolo (913 – c. 982) and various other medical manuscripts, late 13^th or early 14^th century. Courtesy of the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem, Harry Friedenwald Collection. L2016.3.1

Particularium dietarum, Isaac ben Solomon, Latin copy inscribed in the 14^th century. Courtesy of the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem, Harry Friedenwald Collection. L2016.3.2

Aphorismi Rabi Moysi (Sayings of Moses Maimonides), 1508, Venice. Courtesy of the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem, Harry Friedenwald Collection. L2016.3.3

Library Case 2

Amatus Lusitanus, born João Rodrigues de Castelo Branco (1511-1568), was born in Portugal. The son of Conversos, he was open about his Jewish identity and spent his life moving from place to place to avoid the Inquisition. In spite of this, he built a large medical practice, even treating Pope Julius III, and published many highly respected books on medicine. Shown far right, with two contemporaries. Pietro Andrea Mattioli, Melchior Guilandinus and Amatus Lusitanus, from Historia Planatarum Universalis, 1650. Courtesy of the Milton S. Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University. CP 40.2016.1 — Amatus Lusitanus, born João Rodrigues de Castelo Branco (1511-1568), was born in Portugal. The son of Conversos, he was open about his Jewish identity and spent his life moving from place to place to avoid the Inquisition. In spite of this, he built a large medical practice, even treating Pope Julius III, and published many highly respected books on medicine. Shown far right, with two contemporaries.
Pietro Andrea Mattioli, Melchior Guilandinus and Amatus Lusitanus, from Historia Planatarum Universalis, 1650. Courtesy of the Milton S. Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University. CP 40.2016.1

In Dioscoridis Anazarei de medica material, Amatus Lusitanus (João Rodrigues de Castelo Branco), 1558, Lyon. Courtesy of the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem, Harry Friedenwald Collection. L2016.3.4

Decree of Regulations Concerning Jews, 1593. Courtesy of the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem, Harry Friedenwald Collection. L2016.3.5

Medical diploma of Copilia Pictor (aka Jacob Mahler), University of Padua, 1695. Courtesy of the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem, Harry Friedenwald Collection. L2016.3.6

Library Case 3

“Illustration of the Parts of the Body Compared to the Sections of a House,” from Ma’aseh Tuviyya, Tobias Cohn, 1708(?). Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine. CP7.2015.3 — “Illustration of the Parts of the Body Compared to the Sections of a House,” from Ma’aseh Tuviyya, Tobias Cohn, 1708(?).
Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine. CP7.2015.3

Sefer Otzar haChayim, Jacob Zahalon, 1683, Venice. Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine. L2016.4.2

Ma’aseh Tuviyya, Tobias Cohn, 1708 (?), Venice. Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine. L2016.4.3

On the Diseases of the Jews, Elkan Isaac Wolf, 1777, Mannheim. Courtesy of the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem, Harry Friedenwald Collection. L2016.3.7

History of the Jewish Physicians, Eliakim Carmoly, 1858, Baltimore (originally published in French, 1844). Courtesy of the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem, Harry Friedenwald Collection. L2016.3.8

Library Case 4

Dr. Theodor Billroth’s advances in surgical procedures and anesthesia made him a hero in his native Austria. When his diatribe against poor, inadequately educated and ambitious Eastern European Jewish medical students was published in 1876, his words carried great weight. He later softened his stance and even joined the Austrian League against anti-Semitism. Billroth’s Lecture at Vienna’s General Hospital, Adalbert Franz Seligmann, 1888-1890. Courtesy of Österreichische Galerie, © Belvedere, Vienna. CP5.2015.1 — Dr. Theodor Billroth’s advances in surgical procedures and anesthesia made him a hero in his native Austria. When his diatribe against poor, inadequately educated and ambitious Eastern European Jewish medical students was published in 1876, his words carried great weight. He later softened his stance and even joined the Austrian League against anti-Semitism.
Billroth’s Lecture at Vienna’s General Hospital, Adalbert Franz Seligmann, 1888-1890. Courtesy of Österreichische Galerie, © Belvedere, Vienna. CP5.2015.1

Űber das Lehren und Lernen der medicinischen Wissenschaften an den Universitäten der deutschen Nation, Theodor Billroth, 1876, Vienna . Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine. L2016.4.4

Jewish Contributions to Medicine in America, Solomon Kagan, 1934, Boston. JMM Library.