Abstract

FR.22.02

Albrecht von Graefe and his descendants

Herde J.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale

Albrecht von Graefe (*22.5.1828 – †20.7.1870), the fifth child of C. Ferdinand von Graefe and his wife Auguste, née von Alten, became to one of the most important and revolutionizing ophthalmologist of the 19^th century owing to his secure family situation, his excellent intensive education, his thirst for knowledge, his exploratory urge and his humanitarian views. The life of A. v. Graefe and his wife Anna Adelaide Paulie, née von Knuth (*15.3.1842 – †22.3.1972), came to an end too early from progressive lung tuberculosis. He already was ill by the time of his wedding. Additional time was taken away from the years which they spent together by recurrent illness and regimen even though Anna was always involved in the nursing. Two out of 5 born children died during infancy. The marriage of his eldest daughter Anna v. Graefe (*18.6.1863 – †19.12.1939) with Erich Svantus von Bonin produced 8 children (5 boys, 3 girls). The descendants are still alive in the third- and forth-generation. The second born daughter Olga von Graefe (*18.6.1866 – †11.11.1949), married to Maximilian von Mitzlaff, lead a happy married life albeit without children. After Maximilian's leave from the military career, they spent their life at the purchased estate Vossberg/Hinterpommern. The early death of her husband did not break off her charitable and social affection towards relatives and friends. Increasing health problems in particular the progressive deterioration of vision to complete loss of sight were the cause for awful fateful hardship. Olga died in an old people’s home in Postdam. From the only son of Albrecht von Graefe, Carl Albrecht von Graefe (*1.1.1868 – †17.4.1933) and his wife Freiin Sophie, née von Blomberg (*6.10.1874 – †11.1.1946), were descended three sons Knut v. Graefe (22.3.1899 – 25.12.1955), Axel von Graefe (*25.7.1900 – †1946) and Hans v. Graefe (*12.2.1903 – †27.4.1954) and a daughter Blida married to Heynold von Graefe. Although the marriage of Knut was without children, Axel´s two sons Sven and Wulf as well as the daughter of Sven, Kirstin enjoy the best of health. The descendants of Hans v. Graefe, Hans Albrecht von Graefe (*5.10.1943) married to Adelheid, née Freiin v. Richthofen (*17.10.1939) gave birth to three sons who enjoy their four grandchildren. Gudula von Graefe already died 2002. Dr Ingolf v. Graefe (*5.10.1943) works as a consultant for Internal Medicine and Haematooncology and has four children with his wife Hyma, née Gräfin zu Innhausen and Knyphausen (*26.6.1952). The still existing great-, great-great- and great-great-great-grandchildren generation of Albrecht von Graefe continue the academic Graefian tradition. According to the changed sprit of the age it is also to note a professional career by the wives since mid-20^th century. There are parallels in the family tradition of the two cousins of Albrecht von Grafe; Alfred Graefe was first professor for Ophthalmology in Halle and Eduard Graefe was President of the Senate in Berlin.

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