Pierre Marie: gifted intellect, poor timing and unchecked emotionality.

[Guest guest]

(This is about one of our founders. I found this most recent abstract

interesting, considering the historicity of neurology and the 'spirit of

the times'. I emailed the author because I'd like to read the entire

piece and learn more ~ Gretchen)

From J Hist Neurosci. 2003 Jun;12(2):154-66.

Pierre Marie: gifted intellect, poor timing and unchecked emotionality.

Goetz CG.

Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University/Rush-Presbyterian-St.

Luke's Medical Centre, 1725 W. on

Street, Suite 755, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

Pierre Marie was a prominent member of the French neurological world of

the early twentieth century. Having been trained by the celebrated

physician, J-M Charcot, Marie remained influenced by his teacher

throughout his career. Because of this influence, his career can be

logically divided into three phases: first, the early years under the

direct mentorship of Charcot (1878-1893); secondly, the aftermath of

Charcot's death when Marie left his teacher's institution, the

Salpetriere hospital and established himself at the Bicetre hospital in

southern Paris (1893-1918); and finally, Marie's return to the

Salpetriere to assume the original Charcot chaired professorship, albeit

as an aged man (1918-1925). This essay examines Marie's career with an

emphasis on documentation of the combined attributes of a gifted intellect

as well as a heated emotionality. In the context of his time, these elements

prompted Marie to enter into controversies and medico-political battles

that advanced neurological knowledge, but likely disadvantaged him in

his career successes.