Simon Flexner
Encyclopedia
Simon Flexner, M.D. was a physician
, scientist
, administrator, and professor
of experimental pathology
at the University of Pennsylvania
(1899–1903). He was the first director of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1901–1935) and a trustee
of the Rockefeller Foundation
. He was also a friend and advisor to John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
. He was the elder brother of Abraham Flexner
and of the Zionist leader Bernard Flexner
Amongst Flexner's most important achievements are studies into poliomyelitis
and the development of serum treatment for meningitis
.
The bacteria species Shigella flexneri
was named in recognition of Flexner. In addition, Flexner was the first to describe Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette
s, a characteristic finding in retinoblastoma
. His son James Thomas Flexner
was a prolific writer; one of his works was an extensive biography of George Washington
.
Dr. Flexner died in May 1946 in New York City, from a myocardial infarction (heart attack). He was 83 years old. His papers are currently housed at the American Philosophical Society
.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
, administrator, and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of experimental pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
(1899–1903). He was the first director of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1901–1935) and a trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
of the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
. He was also a friend and advisor to John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John Davison Rockefeller, Jr. was a major philanthropist and a pivotal member of the prominent Rockefeller family. He was the sole son among the five children of businessman and Standard Oil industrialist John D. Rockefeller and the father of the five famous Rockefeller brothers...
. He was the elder brother of Abraham Flexner
Abraham Flexner
Abraham Flexner was an American educator. His Flexner Report, published in 1910, reformed medical education in the United States...
and of the Zionist leader Bernard Flexner
Bernard Flexner
Bernard Flexner , a New York lawyer, was a prominent member of the Zionist Organization of America. He served as counsel for the Zionist delegation to the Paris Peace Conference and was president of the Palestine Economic Corporation....
Amongst Flexner's most important achievements are studies into poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
and the development of serum treatment for meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
.
The bacteria species Shigella flexneri
Shigella flexneri
Shigella flexneri is a species of Gram-negative bacteria in the genus Shigella that can cause diarrhea in humans. There are several different serogroups of Shigella; S. flexneri belongs to group B. S. flexneri infections can usually be treated with antibiotics although some strains have become...
was named in recognition of Flexner. In addition, Flexner was the first to describe Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette
Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette
Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette is a spoke and wheel shaped cell formation seen in retinoblastoma and certain other ophthalmic tumors. A rosette is a structure or formation resembling a rose, such as the clusters of polymorphonuclear leukocytes around a globule of lipid nuclear material, as observed...
s, a characteristic finding in retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a rapidly developing cancer that develops in the cells of retina, the light-detecting tissue of the eye. In the developed world, Rb has one of the best cure rates of all childhood cancers , with more than nine out of every ten sufferers surviving into...
. His son James Thomas Flexner
James Thomas Flexner
James Thomas Flexner was an American historian and author best known for his prize-winning four-volume biography of George Washington, which earned him a National Book Award and a special Pulitzer Prize citation...
was a prolific writer; one of his works was an extensive biography of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
.
Dr. Flexner died in May 1946 in New York City, from a myocardial infarction (heart attack). He was 83 years old. His papers are currently housed at the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
.
External links
- Jacob This site offers biographical information about Simon
- American Philosophical Society