Paul de Kruif

Paul de Kruif

Paul Henry de Kruif (March 2, 1890 Zeeland, Michigan - February 28, 1971 Holland, Michigan) was an American microbiologist and author, publishing as Paul de Kruif. He is most noted for his 1926 book, Microbe Hunters. This book was not only a bestseller for a lengthy period after publication, it has remained high on lists of recommended reading for science and has been an inspiration for many aspiring physicians and scientists.

Early life

He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1912 with a B.A and remained to obtain a PhD in 1916. He immediately entered service as a private in Mexico on the Pancho Villa Expedition and afterwards served as a lieutenant and Captain in World War I in France. Because of his service in the Sanitary Corps, he had occasional contact with leading French biologists of the period.

Writing career

After returning to the University of Michigan as an assistant professor, he briefly worked for the Rockefeller Institute. De Kruif then became a full time writer.

De Kruif assisted with the novel "Arrowsmith" (1925) by Sinclair Lewis, providing the scientific and medical information required by the plot, along with character sketches. Even though Lewis was listed as the sole author, De Kruif's contribution was significant, and he received twenty-five percent of the royalties. Many believe the characters in the novel represent people known to De Kruif, with Martin Arrowsmith (unlike de Kruif, a physician) possibly representing himself.

Some of his writings created problems for him. Some essays written while working for the Rockefeller Institute led to his dismissal. One of the scientists featured in "Microbe Hunters" (Ronald Ross) took exception to how he was described, so the British edition had to delete that chapter to avoid a libel suit.

De Kruif was a staff writer for the "Ladies' Home Journal", "Country Gentleman", and the "Readers Digest", contributing articles on science and medicine. He also served on commissions to promote research into Infantile Paralysis.

His last book, "The Sweeping Wind", is his autobiography.

Books by Paul de Kruif

*"Our Medicine Men" (1922)
*"Microbe Hunters" (1926)
*"Hunger Fighters" (1928)
*"Men Against Death" (1932)
*"Why Keep Them Alive" (1937)
*"Seven Iron Men" (1937)
*"The Fight for Life" (1938)
*"The Male Hormone"(1945)
*"Health is Wealth" (19??)
*"Life Among Doctors" (19??)
*"Kaiser Wakes the Doctors" (19??)
*"A Man Against Insanity" (1957)
*"The Sweeping Wind" (1962)

The "Microbe Hunters"

De Kruif's celebrated 1926 book "Microbe Hunters" consists of chapters on the following figures of medicine's "Heroic Age":

* Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632 -1723), Invention of a simple microscope and the discovery of microorganisms.
* Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729 - 1799), Biogenesis.
* Robert Koch (1843 - 1910), Identification of pathogens.
* Louis Pasteur (1822 - 1895), Bacteria, Biogenesis.
* Emile Roux (1853 - 1933) and Emil von Behring (1854 -1917), Diphtheria.
* Elie Metchnikoff (1845 - 1916), Phagocytes.
* Theobald Smith (1859 - 1934), Animal vectors and Ticks.
* David Bruce (1855 - 1931), Tsetse fly and Sleeping sickness.
* Ronald Ross (1857 - 1932) and Battista Grassi (1854 - 1925), Malaria.
* Walter Reed (1851 - 1902), Yellow fever.
* Paul Ehrlich (1854 - 1915), The Magic Bullet, Syphilis.

Bibliography

* William C. Summers, " Microbe Hunters revisited ", Internatl Microbiol (1998) 1: 65-68. [http://www.im.microbios.org/01march98/09%20Summers.pdf online]


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  • Paul de Kruif — Paul Henry De Kruif (* 2. März 1890 in Zeeland (Michigan); † 28. Februar 1971 in Holland (Michigan)) war ein amerikanischer Mikrobiologe und Autor. Sein berühmtestes Buch, Microbe Hunters, erschien 1926. Dieses Buch war nicht nur für lange Zeit… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Kruif — Paul Henry De Kruif (* 2. März 1890 in Zeeland (Michigan); † 28. Februar 1971 in Holland (Michigan)) war ein amerikanischer Mikrobiologe und Autor. Sein berühmtestes Buch, Microbe Hunters, erschien 1926. Dieses Buch war nicht nur für lange Zeit… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • de Kruif — [də krīf] Paul (Henry) 1890 1971; U.S. bacteriologist & writer …   English World dictionary

  • de Kruif — biographical name Paul Henry 1890 1971 American bacteriologist & author …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • de Kruif — /deuh kruyf / Paul, 1890 1971, U.S. bacteriologist and author. * * * …   Universalium

  • de Kruif — [[t]də ˈkraɪf[/t]] n. big Paul, 1890–1971, U.S. bacteriologist and author …   From formal English to slang

  • de Kruif — /deuh kruyf / Paul, 1890 1971, U.S. bacteriologist and author …   Useful english dictionary

  • Arrowsmith (novel) — Arrowsmith   …   Wikipedia

  • Seven Iron Brothers — The Seven Iron Men, Ather known as Merritt Brothers, were known as iron ore pioneers in the Mesabi Range and the creation of what is now known as Mountain Iron.[1] Their story was told, in part, by the book Seven Iron Men by Paul de Kruif.[2].… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste der Biografien/Kru — Biografien: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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