Dr. Mütter's Marvels by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz

Mütter’s desire to become a physician was likely shaped by the adversities of his early life. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s medical school, Mütter went to Paris to study under the innovative surgeons who were working there, and perhaps he wanted to preserve a bit of European flair upon returning to Philadelphia.

He added the famous umlaut to his name after an extended stay in Europe. Mütter was born Thomas Dent Mutter in Virginia in 1811. Looking more deeply into his life and work, she found the man it is named for as intriguing as the bizarre collection of human oddities he assembled. Mütter’s Marvels A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine.” In it, she captures Mütter’s journey from young, sickly orphan to decorated, flamboyant and beloved surgeon and teacher.Īptowicz is a poet by trade, but became fascinated with the surgeon during visits to the Philadelphia Mütter museum, which attracts people from all over the world. The small design touches at the archives and special collections rooms of the Scott Memorial Library of Jefferson University are perfect, as they house many of the writings and papers of famous Philadelphia surgeon Thomas Dent Mütter. Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz spent a lot of time here, researching for her new book “Dr. In her new book, Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz captures Mütter’s journey from young, sickly orphan to beloved surgeon and teacher.Ī skull decorates the wall, and gruesome-looking antique surgical instruments are displayed in cases.

Dr. Mütter's Marvels by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz