Questions about Eugène Minkowski

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When and where was Eugène Minkowski born?

Eugène Minkowski was born on the 17th of April 1885 in Saint Petersburg. He grew up among four sons while his father August worked as a banker in Warsaw.

What medical degree did Eugène Minkowski complete and when?

Eugène Minkowski completed his degree at Munich University in 1909 after studying at Breslau and Göttingen. He practiced medicine in Kazan to gain official certification as a Russian subject before moving to Germany.

Why did Eugène Minkowski volunteer for the French Army during World War I?

Eugène Minkowski volunteered for the French Army in 1915 as a military medic despite being a foreigner living in Germany. His service included action at the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun earning him citations like the Croix de Guerre medal.

How did Eugène Minkowski define schizophrenia in his 1926 doctoral thesis?

Eugène Minkowski defined schizophrenia through the notion of loss of contact with reality published in 1926. He argued that mental illness stemmed from a deficiency of intuition regarding time perception where spatial factors became hypertrophied.

What humanitarian work did Eugène Minkowski perform during World War II?

During World War II Eugène Minkowski joined the Resistance movement in France and directed work for a charity designed to protect children from the Shoah. Thousands of Jewish children were saved through these efforts while he maintained his position at Sainte-Anne's Psychiatric Hospital.

When did Eugène Minkowski die and what major publication appeared before his death?

Eugène Minkowski died on the 17th of November 1972 leaving behind a legacy of written works spanning multiple languages. His book Le Temps vécu appeared in 1933 after he funded a thousand copies himself initially.