Anatomy in the Third Reich: Careers disrupted by National Socialist Policies

The history of anatomy in the Third Reich is still insufficiently explored, especially concerning its victims. These include not only the victims of the NS regime whose bodies were used in anatomical dissection, but also the Scholars of Anatomy whose careers were disrupted by NS policies. The spectrum of career disruption spanned from short-term suspension from work to death in concentration camps. In this study, the biographies of 462 Scholars of Anatomy were examined. 414 were members of the Anatomische Gesellschaft (Anatomical Society). Eighty-six persons (80 men, 6 women) were identified whose anatomical careers were disrupted by National Socialist policies. Sixty-two of them were members of the Anatomical Society. Their subsequent fate was dependent on the stage of the scholars' careers, their field of expertise, reason for dismissal (i.e. so-called Jewish descent or political dissent), nationality, country of residence or exile. Forty-three scholars emigrated, of whom 6 returned to positions in Germany and Austria after the war. Twenty-one remained in their home countries, of whom 17 were later reinstated in their positions. Twelve scholars were imprisoned, and 5 died in concentration camps. Five fates remain unresolved. As diverse as this group of scholars was, all of them had in common that a criminal regime forced them, being innocent of any crime, out of their position and work. Further work including the exploration of potential archival sources is necessary before a detailed and complete recounting of each individual life is possible.