Paul Ehrlich

NAME Paul Ehrlich 

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Pioneer in immunology and chemotherapy; Nobel laureate for his work on immunity; discovered Salvarsan, the first effective treatment for syphilis.

BIRTH Paul Ehrlich was born on March 14, 1854, in Strehlen in the Prussian province of Lower Silesia (now Strzelin in southwestern Poland).

FAMILY BACKGROUND Ehrlich was born into a Jewish family. His father, Ismar Ehrlich (1818-1898), was the leader of the local Jewish community, an innkeeper, a distiller of liqueurs, and the royal lottery collector in Strehlen. His mother was Rosa Weigert (1826-1909). 

His grandfather, Heymann Ehrlich, had been a fairly successful distiller and tavern manager. 

Paul Ehrlich was the cousin of Karl Weigert, a prominent pathologist who owned one of the first microtomes and significantly influenced Ehrlich's interest in tissue staining. 

He had one sister, Anna Ehrlich (1857-1940).

CHILDHOOD  During his childhood in Strehlen, Ehrlich developed a keen interest in science, particularly fascinated by the process of staining microscopic tissue sections, a skill he honed under the guidance of his cousin Karl Weigert. This early exposure laid the foundation for his later work in hematology.

EDUCATION Paul Ehrlich attended the time-honored secondary school Maria-Magdalenen-Gymnasium in Breslau, where he met Albert Neisser, who later became a colleague. 

He pursued medical studies at several universities, including Breslau, Strasbourg, Freiburg im Breisgau, and Leipzig. In 1878, he obtained his doctorate of medicine with a dissertation titled "Contributions to the Theory and Practice of Histological Staining". 

He completed his clinical education and habilitation at the prestigious Charité medical school in Berlin in 1886, with a thesis entitled "The Need of Organisms for Oxygen". (1) 

CAREER RECORD 878: Began work at the Charité Hospital in Berlin as an assistant medical director.  

1882: Developed staining techniques for identifying bacteria.

1890: Worked with Robert Koch at the Institute for Infectious Diseases in Berlin.   

1896: Director of the newly founded Institute for Serum Research and Serum Testing in Steglitz, near Berlin.   

1899: Institute moved to Frankfurt and became the Royal Prussian Institute for Experimental Therapy.   

1906: Became director of the Georg Speyer House for Chemotherapy Research in Frankfurt.   

1908: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

1914: Appointed full Professor of Pharmacology at the newly established Frankfurt University.

APPEARANCE Ehrlich was often depicted in portraits as a bearded man in late middle age, exuding a contemplative demeanor. He was known for his habit of smoking incessantly, consuming up to 25 strong cigars a day, and frequently carrying a box under one arm, which became a distinctive trait.

Paul Ehrlich

FASHION As a 19th-century scientist, Ehrlich dressed in formal attire, such as suits and ties, typical of his professional and social standing.

CHARACTER Ehrlich was known for his persistence and determination in research. He often stated that to have success, one needed the 4 'Gs' (in German): Geld ("money"), Geduld ("patience"), Geschick ("skills"), and Glück ("luck"). 

After his breakthrough with Salvarsan, he humbly remarked: "for 7 years of misfortune, I had one moment of luck". This reflects both his modesty and perseverance in the face of repeated experimental failures. (2)

SPEAKING VOICE Ehrlich had a hasty manner of speech, often accompanied by gesticulations. He frequently used interjections and catchphrases, such as "Wissen Sie, verstehen Sie..." (you know, you understand), "Ja, natürlich, natürlich..." (Yes, certainly, certainly), and "Wundervoll... Grossartig!" (Wonderful... marvelous!). His Silesian accent was evident in his friendly greeting "Tag ook," pronounced with a hard 'g'.

SENSE OF HUMOUR His humor often manifested in his colorful expressions and wordplay, such as his invented term "Ungeschickter Taperkerl" (meaning an unskilled or awkward person).

RELATIONSHIPS In 1883, Paul Ehrlich married Hedwig Pinkus (1864-1948) in the synagogue in Neustadt (now Prudnik, Poland). Hedwig was 19 years old at the time of their marriage and was the sister of Max Pinkus, who owned a textile factory in Neustadt. 

The couple had two daughters: Stephanie (1884-1966), who later married Ernst Schwerin (1869-1946), and Marianne (1886-1963).

Professionally, he collaborated with many scientists, but his relationship with Emil von Behring was strained, reflecting the personal dynamics behind scientific advancements.

MONEY AND FAME For a period, Ehrlich financed his research from his own funds and his wife's dowry. His father-in-law's position and understanding of Paul's scientific passion allowed him to equip a laboratory and continue his work even after losing his job. 

Throughout his career, Ehrlich gained significant recognition in the scientific community. Upon his death, Wilhelm II, the German emperor, wrote in a telegram of condolence: "I, along with the entire civilized world, mourn the death of this meritorious researcher for his great service to medical science and suffering humanity; his life's work ensures undying fame and the gratitude of both his contemporaries and posterity".

FOOD AND DRINK Ehrlich had a habit of eating little, living largely on mineral water. His primary indulgence was smoking; he consumed 25 strong cigars a day, a practice noted by his contemporaries.

LITERATURE Ehrlich primarily focused on scientific literature, contributing extensively to medical journals.

NATURE Paul Ehrlich's primary hobby and interest was his scientific work, particularly in the field of biology. He was deeply fascinated by butterflies from a young age, which evolved into a broader interest in scientific issues. This passion for butterflies and nature continued throughout his life and career.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Ehrlich was known for his intense focus on his work, often working around 80 hours per week, split between biology and policy issues. He considered his biology work as a form of vacation and tried to avoid time-wasting activities. 

Paul Ehrlich around 1900 in his Frankfurt office

SCIENCE AND MATHS From his youth, Ehrlich was drawn to Latin, mathematics, and especially chemistry. He had a remarkable ability to merge his knowledge of chemistry with biological theories to develop new concepts and approaches. He demonstrated little interest in subjects he did not find challenging, instead passionately focusing on scientific pursuits. This selective approach to learning continued throughout his education, as he reportedly disliked examinations and dedicated only minimum attention to subjects that did not capture his interest.  (4) 

Ehrlich made groundbreaking contributions to science, particularly in hematology, immunology, and chemotherapy, with his staining techniques and theories laying the foundation for modern medical diagnostics and treatments.

WORK Paul Ehrlich, a man who clearly had no patience for idle hands, earned his doctorate in 1882 and promptly set to work at Berlin’s Charité hospital under Theodor Frerichs, where he spent his time dabbling in histology, hematology, and—rather delightfully—color chemistry. One can only imagine the excitement of the early days, peering at stains and slides, uncovering the mysteries of the human body one vivid dye at a time. 

Then came a rather inconvenient case of tuberculosis, which sidelined him for a bit, but Ehrlich, not one to let a near-death experience slow him down, bounced back in 1889 and set up a modest private practice and laboratory in Berlin-Steglitz. His reputation as a medical mind to watch soon caught the attention of none other than Robert Koch, who lured him to the Berlin Institute of Infectious Diseases in 1891. By 1896, Ehrlich was handed the reins of the newly minted Institute for Serum Research and Testing, which sounds like an exceptionally serious place filled with exceptionally serious people in lab coats.

The institute moved to Frankfurt in 1899, taking on the far grander title of the Institute of Experimental Therapy, where Ehrlich’s work really hit its stride. He became a full honorary professor at Göttingen in 1904 (a title that no doubt looked splendid on letterhead) and, two years later, took charge of the Georg Speyer House, where he would make the kind of discovery that places one permanently in the annals of medical history.

Ehrlich’s research career can be conveniently divided into three phases, much like a well-structured novel. The first was all about staining things—bacteria, tissues, anything that sat still long enough. He refined the Gram stain and developed a method to highlight the tubercle bacillus, which made him a hit with the bacteriologists of the day.

The second phase saw him pondering the grand mechanics of cellular interaction, leading to his "side-chain theory" of 1897. This was an elegant proposal suggesting that cells had specialized receptors that could latch onto certain molecules—a concept that eventually underpinned much of modern pharmacology, immunology, and hematology. More immediately, it also helped him develop standardized antiserum therapies, most notably an effective one against diphtheria.

Then came the third and most dramatic phase of his career: the quest for a magic bullet—an elusive, targeted drug that could attack disease without harming the host. Ehrlich and his team, including the indispensable Sahachiro Hata, tested no fewer than 300 compounds in what must have been a spectacularly frustrating exercise in scientific trial and error. But perseverance paid off, and in 1909, they finally struck gold (or, more accurately, arsenic) with compound 606, a treatment for syphilis that would go on to be marketed under the memorable name Salvarsan.

By 1914, Ehrlich had secured a full professorship at Frankfurt University, adding another line to his ever-growing list of titles. More importantly, his work had helped lay the foundation for modern chemotherapy, immunology, and pharmacology, proving that sometimes, if you stain enough slides, scribble enough theories, and test enough compounds, you might just change the world.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY As a secular Jew, his views were rooted in scientific rationalism. Ehrlich's work was guided by a belief in the power of chemistry to solve biological problems

POLITICS In 1914, Ehrlich signed the Manifesto of the Ninety-Three, which was a defense of Germany's World War I politics and militarism.

SCANDAL Paul Ehrlich's groundbreaking syphilis treatment, Salvarsan, was met with intense controversy and legal challenges due to fatalities during its clinical trials. Accusations of recklessness were leveled against him, with some claiming he 'stopped at nothing' in his pursuit of a cure. The turmoil reached a peak in 1914 when a leading critic was convicted of criminal libel, with Ehrlich testifying at the trial. Although exonerated, the ordeal profoundly impacted Ehrlich's mental health, contributing to a lasting depression.

The period, dubbed the 'Salvarsan Wars' by historians, saw Ehrlich and his associate, Sahachiro Hata, vilified for allegedly profiting from a dangerous drug. False claims, such as forced treatments on prostitutes at Frankfurt Hospital, further fueled the public outcry.

Despite this turbulent period, Salvarsan remained the world's primary syphilis treatment until the introduction of the less toxic and easier-to-administer Neosalvarsan in 1912. Both Salvarsan and Neosalvarsan remained standard treatments until the advent of penicillin in the 1940s."

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Ehrlich's health was not robust, and he was a heavy smoker. In 1888, he contracted tuberculosis, presumably during his laboratory work. He spent two years recovering in Egypt and Southern Europe with his wife before returning to Berlin to continue his work. 

He experienced a slight stroke in 1914 and on August 17, 1915, ehrlich suffered a heart attack, which led to his death a few days later.

HOMES After his marriage to Hedwig Pinkus, Ehrlich settled in the villa of the Fränkel family on Wiesenerstrasse in Neustadt. Later, when his institute moved to Frankfurt am Main in 1899, he relocated there.

TRAVEL In 1888-1889, Ehrlich traveled to Egypt and other countries to recover from tuberculosis. His education and career required travel between various German universities and research institutions, including Breslau, Strasbourg, Freiburg, Leipzig, Berlin, and Frankfurt.

DEATH  Paul Ehrlich died on August 20, 1915, in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany, at the age of 61, following a heart attack that he had suffered three days earlier.

Ehrlich was buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery (Alter Jüdischer Friedhof) on Rat-Beil-Strasse in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. His tomb is located in Sector 114 of the cemetery. Ehrlich's daughter Marianne is buried near him in the same cemetery. The tombstone bears the inscription "GEB 14 MARZ 1854 / GEST 20 AUGUST 1915" in German, indicating his birth and death dates

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA His life and work have been depicted in various documentaries and historical accounts of medical history.

Ehrlich was portrayed by Edward G. Robinson in the 1940 film Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet, a Hollywood biopic that highlighted his scientific achievements and life, reflecting his cultural impact.

ACHIEVEMENTS Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1908).   

Discovery of Salvarsan (arsphenamine).   

Development of staining techniques for microscopy.   

Formulation of the side-chain theory of immunity.   

Founding and direction of significant research institutes

Sources (1) Nobelprize.org (2) National Library of Medicine (3) University of Silesia (4) Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine