Erwin von Baelz

• Born: 1849
• Died: 1913

Born in Bietigheim-Bissingen, von Baelz first attended medical school at Tubingen University, but ultimately earned his degree from Leipzig University, reportedly graduating with top marks. He began working as a physician at Leipzig Hospital, and there met Sagara Motosada, the first Japanese to study medicine in Leipzig; as a result of this contact, von Baelz was invited in 1876 to join the faculty of the Tokyo School of Medicine. He then remained at the school for over twenty years, both teaching and practicing medicine in Tokyo, until 1902.