27 Facts About Marianne Plehn

Marianne Plehn was the first woman to be awarded a doctorate at the ETH Zurich and the first woman to be appointed as professor in Bavaria in 1914.

Marianne Plehn worked with Bruno Hofer and has been honoured as one of the founders of fish pathology.

Marianne Plehn was born 1863 in Lubochen, then part of west Prussia.

Marianne Plehn had five siblings and her father was a manor lord.

Aged 27 Marianne Plehn moved to Zurich to take up university education in zoology, botany and geology.

Marianne Plehn dedicated her life to research and her working day was spent in the laboratory and the field.

Marianne Plehn turned down an appointment in Vienna and continued to work in Hofer's shadow, who as director presented their work in public appearances.

From 1899 Marianne Plehn published her findings on fish diseases and parasites, often producing several papers a year.

Marianne Plehn's research was pioneering and often conducted under time pressure as breeders faced considerable financial losses.

Marianne Plehn carried out work at the institute's research station in Starnberg, which had been established in 1900 prompted by criticism the institute did not diagnose diseases and issued advice on their control quickly enough.

Marianne Plehn published her findings on kidney disease in 1908.

Marianne Plehn considered her employment in Munich and the research opportunities in Starnberg ideal.

Marianne Plehn received visits from her sister, many Zurich friends and from Huch, who lived in Munich with her young daughter.

Marianne Plehn spent much of her working life at Starnberg and took her holidays outside the summer season as she and colleagues had to ensure that the research station was always staffed.

Marianne Plehn examined in great detail the bacteria causing epidemics of furunculoses and fluorescence.

Marianne Plehn investigated skeletal malformations and cancerous growths in fishes, and other cold-blooded animals.

Marianne Plehn's research was followed with interest by scientists in cancer research and she spoke on the subject at the international conference on cancer in Paris in 1910 and later in Vienna.

In Germany it was not possible for women to qualify as lecturers, thus Marianne Plehn was awarded the title royal professor in 1914 by King Ludwig III of Bavaria for her great contribution to fish pathology.

In 1920 Marianne Plehn published reports on two skin and gill parasites, the Ichthyochytrium vulgare and the Mucophilus cyprini.

Marianne Plehn focused on the major brood of fish in Bavaria, the Salmonidae and Cyprinidae and included illustrations and practical guidance based on 20 years of her work.

Marianne Plehn had long been the foremost authority on fish disease, and known all over Germany.

Marianne Plehn was known as the and had a reputation for being cultivated and charming, with a quiet sense of humour.

Marianne Plehn retired on a small pension in 1928, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the faculty of veterinary medicine at the Ludwig Maximilian University, making her the first women to receive such an honorary PhD from the LMU.

Marianne Plehn continued to be a presence at the Starnberg research station, giving lectures and putting her knowledge at the disposal of colleagues.

Marianne Plehn's urn was buried in the Munich Nordfriedhof and moved to a mass grave in 1970.

Marianne Plehn is commemorated in the names of three polyclads and 12 disease agents of fishes.

Marianne Plehn was honoured as one of the founders of fish pathology.