Heinz Lehmann
Encyclopedia
Heinz Edgar Lehmann, OC
, FRSC
(July 17, 1911 – April 7, 1999) was a German born Canadian
psychiatrist best known for his use of chlorpromazine
for the treatment of schizophrenia
in 1950s.
Born in Berlin
, Germany
, he was educated at the University of Freiburg
, the University of Marburg, the University of Vienna
, and the University of Berlin. He emigrated to Canada in 1937.
In 1947, he was appointed the Clinical Director of Montreal's Douglas Hospital
. From 1971 to 1975, he was the Chair of the McGill University
Department of Psychiatry.
From 1969 to 1972 He was one of the five members of the LeDain Commission
A royal commission appointed in Canada to study the non medical use of drugs. He was an advocate for decriminalization of marijuana.
He was ahead of his time in that he supported research in the use of the active ingredient psilocybin to alleviate anxiety.
In 1976, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
. In 1970, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
. He was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
in 1998.
In 1999, the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology established the Heinz Lehmann Award in his honor, given in recognition of outstanding contributions to research in neuropsychopharmacology in Canada.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, FRSC
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
(July 17, 1911 – April 7, 1999) was a German born Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
psychiatrist best known for his use of chlorpromazine
Chlorpromazine
Chlorpromazine is a typical antipsychotic...
for the treatment of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
in 1950s.
Born in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, he was educated at the University of Freiburg
University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg , sometimes referred to in English as the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.The university was founded in 1457 by the Habsburg dynasty as the...
, the University of Marburg, the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
, and the University of Berlin. He emigrated to Canada in 1937.
In 1947, he was appointed the Clinical Director of Montreal's Douglas Hospital
Douglas Hospital
The Douglas Mental Health University Institute is a Canadian psychiatric hospital located in the borough of Verdun in the city of Montreal, Quebec. It is also a teaching hospital affiliated with McGill University...
. From 1971 to 1975, he was the Chair of the McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
Department of Psychiatry.
From 1969 to 1972 He was one of the five members of the LeDain Commission
Le Dain Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs
The Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs, often referred to as the Le Dain Commission after its chair Dean Gerald Le Dain, was a Canadian government commission that was begun in 1969 and completed its work in 1972...
A royal commission appointed in Canada to study the non medical use of drugs. He was an advocate for decriminalization of marijuana.
He was ahead of his time in that he supported research in the use of the active ingredient psilocybin to alleviate anxiety.
In 1976, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. In 1970, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
. He was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has a museum in London, Ontario, and has an annual induction ceremony.-2012:*Terry Fox*John...
in 1998.
In 1999, the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology established the Heinz Lehmann Award in his honor, given in recognition of outstanding contributions to research in neuropsychopharmacology in Canada.