Pierre Marie: gifted intellect, poor timing and unchecked emotionality.
Pierre Marie was a prominent member of the French neurological world of the early twentieth century. Having been trained by the celebrated physician, J-M Charcot, Marie remained influenced by his teacher throughout his career. Because of this influence, his career can be logically divided into three phases: first, the early years under the direct mentorship of Charcot (1878-1893); secondly, the aftermath of Charcot's death when Marie left his teacher's institution, the Salpêtrière hospital and established himself at the Bicêtre hospital in southern Paris (1893-1918); and finally, Marie's return to the Salpêtrière to assume the original Charcot chaired professorship, albeit as an aged man (1918-1925). This essay examines Marie's career with an emphasis on documentation of the combined attributes of a gifted intellect as well as a heated emotionality. In the context of his time, these elements prompted Marie to enter into controversies and medico-political battles that advanced neurological knowledge, but likely disadvantaged him in his career successes.
Goetz
Christopher G
CG
Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University/Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Centre, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite 755, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. cgoetz@rush.edu
D002607:Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000266:history; D009462:Neurology / Q000266:history*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000266:history