Chemist, Hygienist. He was born Max Joseph Pettenkofer in Lichtenheim, in present-day Germany, the nephew of Franz Xaver, who was surgeon and pharmacist to the Bavarian Court. He studied medicine and pharmacy at the University of Munich, receiving his medical degree in 1843. After working under Justus von Liebig at the University of Giessen in the city of Giessen, Germany, he was appointed chemist to the Munich mint in 1845. In 1847 he was selected as extraordinary professor of chemistry in the medical faculty, becoming full professor in 1853. In 1865 he also became a professor of hygiene. In his early professional years, he devoted himself to chemistry and published papers on various topics, including the preparation of gold and platinum, numerical relations between the atomic weights of analogous elements, the formation of aventurine glass, the manufacturing of illuminating gas from wood, and the preservation of oil paintings. However, he is most associated with his work in practical hygiene, as a promoter of clean water, fresh air, and proper sewage disposal, drawn by the unhealthy conditions that were prevalent in Munich during the 19th century. He provided his views on hygiene and disease in many books and papers. From 1865 to 1892 he was an editor of the "Zeitschrift fur Bilogie" and of the "Archiv des Hygiene" from 1883 to 1894. In 1883 he was awarded a title of nobility as Max Joseph von Pettenkofer. He retired from active work in 1894 and died at his home at the age of 82 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a fit of depression.
Chemist, Hygienist. He was born Max Joseph Pettenkofer in Lichtenheim, in present-day Germany, the nephew of Franz Xaver, who was surgeon and pharmacist to the Bavarian Court. He studied medicine and pharmacy at the University of Munich, receiving his medical degree in 1843. After working under Justus von Liebig at the University of Giessen in the city of Giessen, Germany, he was appointed chemist to the Munich mint in 1845. In 1847 he was selected as extraordinary professor of chemistry in the medical faculty, becoming full professor in 1853. In 1865 he also became a professor of hygiene. In his early professional years, he devoted himself to chemistry and published papers on various topics, including the preparation of gold and platinum, numerical relations between the atomic weights of analogous elements, the formation of aventurine glass, the manufacturing of illuminating gas from wood, and the preservation of oil paintings. However, he is most associated with his work in practical hygiene, as a promoter of clean water, fresh air, and proper sewage disposal, drawn by the unhealthy conditions that were prevalent in Munich during the 19th century. He provided his views on hygiene and disease in many books and papers. From 1865 to 1892 he was an editor of the "Zeitschrift fur Bilogie" and of the "Archiv des Hygiene" from 1883 to 1894. In 1883 he was awarded a title of nobility as Max Joseph von Pettenkofer. He retired from active work in 1894 and died at his home at the age of 82 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a fit of depression.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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