Boerhaave, Hermann (1668–1738)

English Names

Herman Boerhaave

Original Names

Herman(n) Boerhaave

Date, Country, and City of Birth

December 31, 1668, Voorhout, The Netherlands

Date, Country, and City of Death

September 23, 1738, Leiden, The Netherlands

History of Life

Boerhaave was born as the son of a minister in the Dutch village Voorhout, not far from the city of Leiden. His mother died when he was only 5 years old, but his father remarried a year later. When he suddenly died in 1682, there were 9 children left to feed. A very bright student from the early beginning, Boerhaave first studied at the University of Leiden philosophy, theology and mathematics. He took his degree in philosophy in 1690 and then he turned to medicine in which he graduated in 1693, where after he became physician in Leiden. His capacities were not unnoticed. In 1701, he was appointed lecturer of medicine and, in 1709, professor of botany and medicine, in appreciation of his diverse capacities. In 1714, he became professor of practical...