Julius Popper
| Born: |
03-08-1914 |
| Faculty: |
Medical School | Medical University Vienna |
| Category: |
Expelled student |
Julius POPPER, born on March 8
th, 1914 in Vienna/Austria (entitled residency ('heimatberechtigt') for Vienna/Austria, Citizenship: Austria), son of Dr. Julius Popper (1888-1956, ear, nose and throat doctor), lived in Vienna's 9
th district, Maria-Theresien-Strasse 11/5.
He was enrolled finally in the fall term 1937/38 at the Medical School in the 3rd year of his studies (fall term 1937/38 was validated on February 17
th, 1938). In spring term 1938 he was able to continue his studies in the context of the Numerus clausus of Jewish Students until the end of the term Leaving Certificate ('Abgangszeugnis') was issued on June 15
th, 1938).
His father Julius Popper sen. was chief physician of the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases at the "Rothschildspital" (hospital of the Jewish Community of Vienna) from 1938 to 1939.
In 1939 Julius Popper was able to flee to Great Britain via Zurich/Switzerland together with his father. His younger sister Herta Popper emigrated to the USA.
His father's wife, Josefine nee Kugler, was a Catholic from Sudetendeutschland and regarded to be a "Non-Jew" due to National Socialist "Nuremberg Blood Law". She later followed her husband to London. From 1939 Julius Popper sen. lived in the central London Borough of Islington in Lloyd Baker Street. The accommodation was provided by the kindness and generosity of Miss Olive Lloyd-Baker. Initially he was not able to practice otology and in 1940 he was interned for some months. He then worked at the GUYS Hospital in London and headed the ENT-department of the LCC Hospital in Bexley/Kent from 1941 to 1946. In 1946 he returned to Vienna and became head of the ENT-department at the Hanusch-Hospital in Vienna.
Julius Popper jun. enlisted in the British Army during World War II. After the end of the war – in September 1947 – he was naturalised as a British citizen. He was accepted at Cardiff University on the condition that he started his medical studies from scratch. After a delay of at least 12 years, caused by expulsion and new beginnings, Julius Popper was able to finally finish his studies and became a general practitioner. He practiced in Cardiff until his death in 1980.
Lit.: Archive of the University of Vienna (UA) / enrollment forms ("Nationale") MED 1937-1939; POSCH/INGRISCH/DRESSEL 2008, 451; information from his daughter Sophie Popper, 2015; WER 1951 [Julius Popper sen.].
Katharina Kniefacz
