Ignaz Semmelweis
Born 1818 · Age 207
Hungarian physician and pioneer of antiseptic procedures who demonstrated that hand disinfection dramatically reduced maternal mortality from puerperal (childbed) fever.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Buda (now Budapest), Kingdom of Hungary
Born Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis in the Tabán neighbourhood of Buda to József Semmelweis and Teréz Müller; fifth of ten children in a prosperous grocer family.
Completed primary education at Catholic Gymnasium of Buda
Finished grammar/primary education at the Catholic Gymnasium of Buda.
Matriculated in law at the University of Vienna
Began studying law at the University of Vienna on his father's advice (autumn 1837).
Switched from law to medicine; moved to University of Pest
After attending an anatomy class, Semmelweis abandoned law and began medical studies at the University of Pest (later Eötvös Loránd University).
Returned to the University of Vienna to continue medical training
Returned to Vienna to continue medical education and clinical training.
Awarded Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Vienna
Received his medical doctorate from the University of Vienna (MD degree, 1844).
Became trainee assistant at Vienna maternity clinic
Appointed trainee physician's assistant (Aspirant Assistentarztes) at the Vienna obstetrical clinic on 1 July 1844.
Noted discrepancy in maternal mortality between First and Second Clinics
Observed that First Clinic (medical students) had much higher puerperal fever mortality than Second Clinic (midwives).
Appointed assistant at Vienna General Hospital First Obstetrical Clinic
On 1 July 1846 Semmelweis was appointed assistant to Professor Johann Klein at the First Obstetrical Clinic of Vienna General Hospital.
Temporary demotion when Franz Breit returned
Franz Breit returned to the clinic on 20 Oct 1846 and Semmelweis was demoted from the assistant role (historical personnel shuffle).
Dramatic fall in maternal mortality after handwashing protocol
Mortality in the First Clinic dropped sharply after implementation: April 1847 rate 18.3% (before wash); June 1847 2.2%, July 1.2%, August 1.9%; two months with zero deaths followed historically.
Death of colleague Jakob Kolletschka from autopsy wound
Jakob Kolletschka died after being accidentally poked during an autopsy; his pathology resembled puerperal fever and inspired Semmelweis's hypothesis of 'cadaverous particles'.
Reinstated as assistant after Breit's departure
By 20 March 1847 Franz Breit left for Tübingen and Semmelweis resumed the assistant position in the First Clinic (per historical personnel notes).
Introduced chlorinated lime handwashing protocol
In mid‑May 1847 Semmelweis ordered medical students and staff to wash hands with chlorinated lime (calcium hypochlorite) between autopsy work and patient examinations.
Ferdinand von Hebra published Semmelweis's results (announcement)
Editor Ferdinand von Hebra announced Semmelweis's discovery in the Austrian medical journal (December 1847).
Lecture delivered before Royal Medical & Surgical Society (circulated accounts)
Late 1848: accounts of Semmelweis's work spread; a former student presented a lecture before the Royal Medical & Surgical Society (reviewed in The Lancet), helping awareness abroad.
Revolutions of 1848 in Vienna (political turmoil)
March 1848 student-led demonstrations and political unrest in Vienna; broader 1848 revolutions affected Semmelweis's career climate.
Second announcement of Semmelweis's work in medical journal
Ferdinand von Hebra repeated the announcement of Semmelweis's findings in the April 1848 issue of a leading Austrian medical journal.
Gave lecture 'The Origin of Puerperal Fever' at Vienna Medical Society
After dismissal from the clinic Semmelweis delivered a successful lecture at the Medical Society of Vienna explaining his observations on puerperal fever.
Term at Vienna First Clinic expired; forced to leave
When Semmelweis's assistant term expired on 20 March 1849 he was replaced (Carl Braun chosen) and left the obstetrical clinic; political friction with Klein contributed.
Left Vienna and returned to Pest
Shortly after his docent appointment, Semmelweis left Vienna abruptly (feeling frustrated with the Viennese medical establishment) and returned to Pest.
Appointed docent of theoretical obstetrics (with restrictions)
On 10 October 1850 Semmelweis was finally appointed docent of 'theoretical' obstetrics but was refused access to cadavers and limited to mannequin teaching.
Reduced puerperal fever at St. Rochus/Szent Rókus Hospital
During 1851–1855 Semmelweis reduced maternal mortality drastically at Szent Rókus: only 8 deaths out of 933 births (approx. 0.85%).
Became head physician at Szent Rókus Hospital (Pest)
On 20 May 1851 Semmelweis accepted an unpaid honorary head-physician position of the obstetric ward at Pest's Szent Rókus Hospital; he held it until June 1857.
Appointed professor of obstetrics at the University of Pest
In 1855 Semmelweis became professor of obstetrics (chair) at the University of Pest where he instituted chlorine washings with strong positive results.
Hungarian authorities endorsed Semmelweis's prophylactic methods (government circular)
After his appointment in Pest, his methods gained official recognition in Hungary; the government issued a circular to district authorities ordering adoption of Semmelweis' prophylactic methods (approx. mid-1850s).
Declined chair of obstetrics at University of Zürich
In 1857 Semmelweis declined an offer to accept the chair of obstetrics at the University of Zürich.
Married Mária Weidenhofer
Semmelweis married Mária Weidenhofer (born 1837) in 1857; they had five children together over the following years.
Published essay 'The Etiology of Childbed Fever' (Orvosi hetilap)
Semmelweis published an essay on puerperal fever (original Hungarian publication, later included in his collected works) presenting his clinical data and arguments.
Published essay on differences between his views and English physicians
Semmelweis published 'The Difference in Opinion between Myself and the English Physicians regarding Childbed Fever' (original Hungarian articles translated and circulated).
Published main work 'Die Ätiologie, der Begriff und die Prophylaxis des Kindbettfiebers'
Published his principal book (The Etiology, Concept, and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever) and distributed copies to prominent obstetricians and societies across Europe.
Beginning of public backlash and mental health decline
After adverse reviews of his 1861 book and repeated rejections from the medical establishment, Semmelweis became increasingly bitter and began to show signs of mental deterioration.
Signs of serious mental illness and erratic behaviour emerge
By 1863 contemporaries reported Semmelweis exhibiting worsening behaviour, possibly due to neurological disease, tertiary syphilis, or severe depression.
Public outbursts, alcohol use, and family concerns intensify
In 1865 Semmelweis's behaviour reportedly became more erratic, including excessive drinking and offensive letters to colleagues, worrying his family and peers.
Lured to and committed in Viennese asylum (Landes-Irren-Anstalt)
On 30 July 1865 Ferdinand von Hebra lured Semmelweis to an asylum in Lazarettgasse (Vienna) where he was forcibly detained.
Died in asylum of gangrenous wound / sepsis
Semmelweis died on 13 August 1865 after being beaten and confined in the asylum; autopsy listed pyemia (blood poisoning) from a gangrenous wound as cause of death.
Buried in Vienna
Semmelweis was buried in Vienna on 15 August 1865; only a few people attended the service and initial notices were brief.
Posthumous scientific vindication begins (Pasteur, Lister)
In the years after Semmelweis's death Louis Pasteur's germ theory and Joseph Lister's antiseptic surgery provided theoretical and practical validation for Semmelweis's findings.
Wider medical acceptance and recognition of Semmelweis' contributions
Over the late 19th century Semmelweis's observations became accepted and he was increasingly hailed as a pioneer of antiseptic policy (general trend rather than a single-date event).
Remains transferred to Budapest
In 1891 Semmelweis's remains were transferred from Vienna to Budapest, reflecting a growing posthumous recognition in Hungary.
Statue erected at Szent Rókus Hospital (Budapest)
A statue of Semmelweis by Alajos Stróbl was erected in front of Szent Rókus Hospital in Budapest (1904), commemorating his achievements.
Hungary issued 'Famous Hungarians' postage stamp
On 1 July 1932 Hungary issued a postage stamp honoring Ignác Semmelweis in its 'Famous Hungarians' series.
Film 'That Mothers Might Live' (MGM) released — Oscar (short film)
The MGM short film 'That Mothers Might Live' (1938) about Semmelweis won the Academy Award for Best Short Film.
Hungarian film 'Semmelweis' (1940) released
Hungarian film 'Semmelweis' (1940, Mester Film) dramatizing Semmelweis's life was released.
East German film 'Semmelweis – Retter der Mütter' (1950)
DEFA East German dramatization 'Semmelweis – Retter der Mütter' (1950) was released.
Hungary issued 'Scientists' postage stamp
A Hungarian postage stamp commemorating Semmelweis was issued on 5 December 1954 in the 'Scientists' series.
Remains placed in Semmelweis birth house (now museum)
On 11 October 1964 Semmelweis's remains were transferred into the house where he was born; the building is now the Semmelweis Museum of Medical History.
Minor planet 4170 named 'Semmelweis'
Minor planet 4170 was named after Ignaz Semmelweis (designation and naming in astronomical records; naming year not specified in text).
Short film 'Semmelweis' (2001) released
A 2001 short film about Semmelweis (US/Austria) was released, reflecting ongoing cultural interest.
Austrian commemorative gold coin featuring Semmelweis issued
An Austrian €50 gold commemorative coin picturing Semmelweis was issued in 2008.
Google Doodle commemorating Semmelweis and handwashing
A Google Doodle (20 March 2020) promoted handwashing during the COVID‑19 pandemic and honored Semmelweis as the 'father of handwashing'.
Feature film 'Semmelweis' (2023, Hungary) released
A 2023 film ('Semmelweis', Positive Productions, Budapest) dramatizing his life was released, continuing his cultural legacy.
Bust of Semmelweis unveiled at Queen Mary University of London
On 13 January 2023 a bust of Semmelweis was unveiled at Queen Mary University of London as part of ongoing recognition.
Key Achievement Ages
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