Otto Heinrich Warburg

German physiologist and Nobel laureate

Born: October 8, 1883 · Died: August 1, 1970

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Who was Otto Heinrich Warburg?

Otto Heinrich Warburg (German pronunciation: [ˈɔto ˈvaːɐ̯bʊʁk] , ; 8 October 1883 – 1 August 1970) was a German physiologist, medical doctor, and Nobel laureate. Otto Heinrich Warburg was born in Freiburg im Breisgau on, close to the Swiss border. Otto's mother was the daughter of a Protestant family of bankers and civil servants from Baden. His father, Emil Warburg, had converted to Protestantism as an adult, although Emil's parents were Orthodox Jews. Emil was a member of the illustrious Warburg family of Altona. Emil was also president of the Physikalische Reichsanstalt, Wirklicher Geheimer Oberregierungsrat (True Senior Privy Counselor). Otto Warburg studied chemistry under Emil Fischer, and earned his doctorate in chemistry in Berlin in 1906.

Historical significance

He served as an officer in the elite Uhlans (cavalry) during the First World War, and was awarded the Iron Cross (1st Class) for bravery. He was the sole recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1931. In total, he was nominated for the award 48 times over the course of his career.

Dr. Otto Warburg (left) at the National Institute of Health, USA

Sources and further reading

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