Oskar Frankl

Born:	07-26-1873
Faculty:	Medical School | Medical University Vienna
Category:	Expelled teacher

Oskar FRANKL (born on July 26^th, 1873 in Kremsier, Moravia/Austria-Hungary  [Kroměříž/Czech Republic], died on March 18^th, 1938 in Vienna/Austria) was private lecturer with the title of an extraordinary professor ("Privatdoz. tit. ao. Prof.") for obstetrics and gynacology at the Medical School of the University of Vienna. He had studied medicine in Vienna and Munich/Germany and received his academic degree "Dr.med.univ." (M.D.) at the University of Vienna in 1897. He became an assistant at the Anatomical Institute (Prof. Zuckerkandl) and at the II university clinic for gynecology & obstetrics clinic (Prof. von Braun) in Vienna, as well as at the Munich University Clinic (Prof. F. v. Winckel) and at the I gynecology & obstetrics clinic in Vienna (Prof. F. Schauta), where he headed the laboratory in 1908. In 1914 he hablitated and became a "Privatdozent" in obstetrics and gynecology. He lived in Vienna's 1^st district, Franz -Josef -Kai 17, had married Paula Frankl in the Vienna City Temple on September 24th, 1905, daughter Kaethe was born in 1907 (converted in 1932), daughter Wilhelmine in 1909 (converted in 1924, resigned in 1936). Oskar Frankl converted from the Israelite to the Roman Catholic faith on February 10^th, 1920. He was subsequently awarded the title (but not the position) of "associate professor" in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Vienna in 1920. In his main field of research - gynecological histology - he also undertook national and international research and lecture tours through Ireland and North America. Oskar Frankl founded and edited the "Gynaekologische Rundschau" and wrote about 150 gynecological articles, including books such as "Physikalische Heilmethoden in der Gynaekologie" (1906). He was a member of the Society of Physicians in Vienna, the Vienna Gynecological Society and the German Society of Gynecology, the Society for Cancer Research, corresponding member of the Societe d'obstétrique et gynéclogie Belge, Honorary member of numerous professional societies such as the British Congregation of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland and the American Association of Gynecologists and Surgeons and was the recipient of several awards, including the German Red Cross Medal. He was an honorary member of numerous professional societies such as the Royal Acadeny of Medicine in Ireland and the American Association of Gynecologists and Surgeons, and was the recipient of several decorations, including the German Red Cross Medal. Oskar Frankl was persecuted under National Socialism on racial grounds as a Jew and committed suicide in Vienna on March 18^th, 1938, before his removal from office and expulsion from the University of Vienna was completed.

Lit.: Archive of the University of Vienna/MED personnel records S 304.293; Archive of the Jewish Community Vienna, birth and marriage records; HUBENSTORF in STADLER I 1988 [2004], 391, 409; MUEHLBERGER 1993, 20; BLUMESBERGER 2002, 354; UB MedUni Wien/van Swieten Blog; DOeW|Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance, database Austrian Victims of the Holocaust.

Herbert Posch