Otto Heinrich Warburg, 1883-1970

Abstract

Otto Warburg died on 1 August 1970, after a very short illness. In the course of a career devoted entirely to research and extending over 60 years he made an exceptionally large number of highly original and far-reaching contributions to cell biology and biochemistry. In an age which has produced many outstanding scientists, he stands out as one of the great pioneers of contemporary biology. Lewis and Randall (31)*, in the preface to their Thermodynamics , liken the edifice of science to a cathedral built by the efforts of a few architects and many workers. In this sense Warburg belongs to the small band of real architects of his generation. He was born on 8 October 1883, in Freiburg im Breisgau where his father, Emil Warburg, was at that time Professor of Physics at the University. Emil Warburg (1846-1931) was one of the leading physicists of his time who made many classical contributions to his subject and formed a large school. An appreciation of his achievements and personality was published by James Franck (18), one of his students. * Figures given in round brackets refer to the list of references. Figures given in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.