Paul Ehrlich
Born 1854 · Age 171
German physician and scientist (1854–1915). Pioneer in hematology, immunology and chemotherapy; discovered Salvarsan (arsphenamine) for syphilis, introduced the 'magic bullet' concept, and won the 1908 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Paul Ehrlich and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Strehlen (Strehlin), Prussia
Paul Ehrlich born to Ismar Ehrlich and Rosa Weigert in Strehlen, Lower Silesia (now Strzelin, Poland).
Elementary schooling and later attendance at Maria-Magdalenen-Gymnasium
Attended local elementary school and later the Maria-Magdalenen-Gymnasium in Breslau where he met Albert Neisser.
University medical studies (Breslau, Strassburg, Freiburg, Leipzig)
Medical studies across multiple universities; began research interest in aniline dyes and staining under influences including cousin Karl Weigert.
Attended Robert Koch lecture on tuberculosis (inspiration)
As a student, attended Koch's 24 March 1882 (text mentions earlier contact in 1876 as well) presentation on tuberculosis which Ehrlich later called his 'greatest experience in science'; subsequently improved Koch's staining method.
First publication on aniline staining techniques
Published Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Anilinfärbungen, describing aniline staining and microscopic technique (Archiv für Mikroskopische Anatomie, 1877).
Doctorate (Dissertation on histological staining) and discovery of mast cells
Completed dissertation Beiträge zur Theorie und Praxis der histologischen Färbung and reported discovery/description of mast cells and staining methods for blood cell differentiation.
Studies of red blood cells and their precursors
From 1880 Ehrlich studied red blood cells and showed existence of nucleated red blood cells, subdividing them (normoblasts, megaloblasts, microblasts, poikiloblasts) — laying groundwork for anemia analysis.
Differentiated white blood cells by granulation
Developed a dry-specimen technique and staining combinations that allowed differentiation of lymphocytes, eosinophils, mast cells and other leukocyte types.
Published urine test (Ehrlich's reagent)
Published a urine test using a pigment solution (Ehrlich's reagent) to help distinguish types of typhoid vs. simple diarrhea; staining intensity used for prognosis.
Published improved staining method for Koch's tubercle bacillus
Published a staining method for the tubercle bacillus that became a basis for later Ziehl–Neelsen modifications and Gram-related techniques.
Appointed assistant under Theodor Frerichs at the Charité, Berlin
Worked as assistant medical director at the Charité hospital focusing on histology, hematology and color chemistry (dyes).
Married Hedwig Pinkus
Married Hedwig Pinkus in Neustadt (Prudnik); the couple later had two daughters, Stephanie and Marianne.
Monograph 'The Need of the Organism for Oxygen' (habilitation)
Published Das Sauerstoffbedürfnis des Organismus, introducing in vivo staining and oxygen-related organ staining studies (habilition-level work).
Appointed Privatdozent (unsalaried lecturer) at Berlin University
Qualified as a Privatdozent in internal medicine at the University of Berlin, formalizing an academic teaching role.
Travel to Egypt and other countries to treat tuberculosis
Traveled (1888–1889) in part to cure a tuberculosis infection contracted earlier in the laboratory; undertook international travel for health and research.
Private practice and methylene blue malaria treatments in Berlin-Moabit
After return from travel set up private practice and lab in Berlin-Steglitz; worked with methylene blue therapeutically and treated two malaria patients successfully at Berlin-Moabit.
Took over tuberculosis station in Berlin-Moabit (at Koch's request)
At Robert Koch's request took charge of the TB station where tuberculin was being studied; injected himself with tuberculin during the tuberculin controversy.
Injected himself with tuberculin (tuberculin controversy)
Participated actively in tuberculin testing and controversy, supporting Koch's diagnostic use of tuberculin and personally testing it.
Invited by Robert Koch to Institute for Infectious Diseases (Berlin)
Koch invited Ehrlich to join his institute; Ehrlich was given access to staff, patients, chemicals and animals though without direct salary from Koch.
Profit-sharing dispute with Emil von Behring and Hoechst
Ehrlich and Behring originally agreed to share profits from diphtheria serum commercialisation; Ehrlich was later pressured into accepting an 8% profit share, which damaged relations with Behring.
Clinical success and commercialization of diphtheria serum (Behring–Ehrlich)
Clinical tests of diphtheria antiserum were successful; Hoechst began marketing a 'Diphtheria Remedy synthesised by Behring-Ehrlich' in August 1894 — Ehrlich later disputed profit sharing and recognition.
German regulation: only government-approved serum may be sold
From 1 April 1895 the German Reich required only government-approved therapeutic sera be sold — a quality-control system that led to the Serum Testing Institute for Ehrlich.
Institute for Serum Research and Testing established; Ehrlich named founding director
An Institut für Serumforschung und Serumprüfung was established in Berlin-Steglitz specifically for Ehrlich's work; it included both testing and research departments.
Given Prussian title 'Geheimer Medizinalrat' (Medical Councillor)
Awarded the nonacademic Prussian honorary title of Medical Councillor in recognition of his service.
Institute earnings recorded (approx. professor salary)
As director and honorary professor he had annual earnings of ~6,000 marks (approximately a university professor's salary at the time).
Established German model of government serum quality control
Ehrlich's testing and standardization methods at the Berlin-Steglitz institute became a model copied worldwide for government testing of sera and vaccines.
Ehrlich formulated serum valency standardization methods
Developed quantitative titration-style tests for serum 'valency' using toxin/serum mixtures and guinea pig 4-day-death standard, enabling reproducible serum standardization.
Established cancer research department linked to Institute
Under sponsorship (including Georg Speyer's philanthropy) Ehrlich set up a cancer-research department; he applied bacteriological methods and experimented with tumor vaccination ideas.
Institute moved to Frankfurt and renamed Institute of Experimental Therapy
At the urging of Frankfurt officials the institute relocated to Frankfurt am Main and became the Königlich Preußisches Institut für Experimentelle Therapie (Royal Prussian Institute of Experimental Therapy).
Criticized by Prussian Ministry for budget overrun; funding arrangements sought
Prussian Ministry of Finance criticised Ehrlich for exceeding budget; Franz Adickes and Georg Speyer involvement later arranged financial support for his cancer/chemotherapy work.
Refused further collaboration with Behring from 1900 onward
Following disputes over recognition and profits relating to diphtheria/tetanus serum work, Ehrlich ceased collaboration with Emil von Behring from c.1900.
Awarded Great Golden Medal of Science (Prussia)
Received Prussia's Great Golden Medal of Science, a high scientific honour previously awarded to Rudolf Virchow among few others.
Honorary professorship at University of Göttingen and honorary doctorate from University of Chicago
Received an honorary professorship in Göttingen and an honorary doctorate from the University of Chicago.
Systematic chemotherapy screening begins (in vivo staining, trypan red)
Using in vivo staining and dye chemistry, Ehrlich and colleagues developed trypan red for trypanosome infections and began systematic screening of chemical compounds for specific activity.
Work with Sahachiro Hata (assistant) in chemotherapy research
Collaborated with Japanese bacteriologist Sahachiro Hata in testing arsenical compounds leading to discovery of Compound 606 (arsphenamine).
Articulated regulatory mechanisms to prevent autoimmunity
Expressed the idea (c.1906) that the organism possesses mechanisms to prevent immune reactions against its own elements ('horror autotoxicus' concept rejection in favor of regulatory mechanisms).
Prize of Honour, 15th International Congress of Medicine (Lisbon)
Received the Prize of Honour at the 1906 International Congress of Medicine (Lisbon).
Appointed director of Georg Speyer House (Georg-Speyer-Haus)
Became director of the Georg Speyer House, a chemotherapy research foundation established by Franziska Speyer adjacent to his institute; transferred chemotherapeutic research there.
Title Senior Medical Councillor and honorary doctorate from Oxford
Granted the title Geheimer Obermedizinalrat (Senior Medical Councillor) and an honorary doctorate from Oxford University.
Side-chain theory articulated (basis for immunology work)
Advanced the side-chain theory of how cells produce chemical side chains (receptors) that bind toxins and can be released as antibodies; this theoretical work contributed to Nobel recognition.
Awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (shared with Élie Metchnikoff)
Received the 1908 Nobel Prize for contributions to immunology (side-chain theory and immunology research).
Discovery of arsphenamine (Compound 606) — Salvarsan
With assistant Sahachiro Hata discovered Compound 606 (arsphenamine), shown effective against syphilis spirochaetes; heralded as the first modern chemotherapeutic 'magic bullet'.
Clinical trials show disappearance of spirochetes in early patients
Early human trials (reported 1909) documented disappearance of spirochetes in seven syphilis patients after arsphenamine treatment.
Salvarsan becomes widely prescribed worldwide
Following commercialization, Salvarsan became the most widely used syphilis treatment until replaced by penicillin in the 1940s.
Hoechst begins commercial marketing of Salvarsan
After extensive testing, Hoechst AG began marketing arsphenamine under the trade name Salvarsan toward the end of 1910; it became the most widely prescribed drug for syphilis until penicillin.
Neosalvarsan introduced (improved solubility, fewer side effects)
Neosalvarsan (Compound 914) was introduced around 1911 as a more soluble and somewhat safer alternative to Salvarsan.
Granted highest Prussian civilian title 'Wirklicher Geheimer Rat' (Privy Councillor)
Elevated to Privy Councillor with the predicate 'Excellency', a top civilian honor in Prussia.
Made honorary citizen of Frankfurt am Main and of birthplace Strehlen
Bestowed honorary citizenship of Frankfurt and of Strehlen (his birthplace).
Awarded Cameron Prize of the University of Edinburgh
Received the Cameron Prize for Therapeutics of the University of Edinburgh in recognition of therapeutic research contributions.
Appointed full Professor of Pharmacology at newly established Frankfurt University
Granted a full professorship at the newly established University of Frankfurt (Frankfurt a.M.).
Signed the Manifesto of the Ninety-Three (defence of Germany in WWI)
Signed the nationalist Manifesto of the Ninety-Three supporting Germany's WWI stance and militarism.
Libel trial related to Salvarsan controversy; Ehrlich testified and was exonerated
Following criticism and accusations tied to Salvarsan trials, a major accuser was convicted of criminal libel in 1914 after Ehrlich's testimony; the ordeal affected his health and mood.
Appointed full Professor of Pharmacology (Frankfurt University)
Formally appointed to a university chair in pharmacology at Frankfurt, reflecting recognition of his pharmacological and therapeutic research.
Accusations and controversy over Salvarsan (public backlash)
Salvarsan triggered controversy: moral panic about sexual behaviour, accusations of priority theft, and criticism due to deaths in trials; contributed to Ehrlich's depression.
Burial at Old Jewish Cemetery, Frankfurt
Interred in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Frankfurt (Block 114 N).
Suffered heart attack
Suffered a heart attack while on holiday in Bad Homburg; condition led to death days later.
Died in Bad Homburg
Died on 20 August 1915 in Bad Homburg; Emperor Wilhelm II sent a telegram of condolence; buried at Old Jewish Cemetery in Frankfurt.
Film 'Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet' released (portrayal)
Hollywood film dramatizing his life and Salvarsan (Edward G. Robinson starred); raised awareness of Ehrlich's work; nominated for Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (1941).
Institute renamed Paul Ehrlich Institute
The successor to his Steglitz/Frankfurt institutes was named the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut in 1947 in his honour; it later became Germany's federal institute for vaccines and biomedicines.
West German postage stamp issued commemorating Ehrlich
Postage stamp issued in 1954 on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Paul Ehrlich (also commemorating Emil von Behring).
Portrait and banknote recognitions (posthumous)
Paul Ehrlich featured on the 200 Deutsche Mark banknote (issued until 2001); numerous streets, schools and awards named after him (Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft, clinics, etc.).
Lunar crater named 'Ehrlich'
A crater on the Moon was named Ehrlich in 1970, commemorating his scientific legacy.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Paul Ehrlich and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Ida Tarbell
Born 1857 · Age 168
American writer, investigative journalist, biographer, and lecturer; leading muckraker of the Progressive Era best known for The History of the Standard Oil Company.
Clarence Darrow
Born 1857 · Age 168
American lawyer and civil libertarian known for landmark criminal defenses (Leopold & Loeb, Scopes, Ossian Sweet), labor law advocacy, opposition to the death penalty, prolific public speaking and writing.
Nikola Tesla
Born 1856 · Age 169
Serbian-American engineer, inventor and futurist best known for development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems, the induction motor and the Tesla coil.
William Osler
Born 1849 · Age 176
Canadian physician, founding professor of Johns Hopkins Hospital, creator of the modern medical residency system, prolific author, bibliophile and Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford.