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Hélène Sparrow-Germa, a Polish-French biologist in the Resistance at the Pasteur Institute

Publication date: 2023

History Notebooks, 2023, Issue 150 (3), pp. 519 - 531

https://doi.org/10.4467/20844069PH.23.029.18534

Authors

Jean-Charles Foucrier
Université Paris-Sorbonne – Paris IV
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5623-571X Orcid
All publications →

Titles

Hélène Sparrow-Germa, a Polish-French biologist in the Resistance at the Pasteur Institute

Abstract

Hélène Sparrow-Germa (1891–1970) was a renowned French-Polish microbiologist, specialist in infectious diseases. Professor at the University of Warsaw, then member of the Pasteur Institute of Tunis, she was particularly dedicated to the struggle against typhus, having tried to get an effective vaccine to overcome the plague still deadly in the first years of the twentieth century. Hélène Sparrow devised an ambitious strategy, developing a sanitary fender on the eastern border of Poland against the spread of epidemics from Russia. The story of this French-Polish doctor is also repeatedly characterised by the ordeal of war. Willingly confronted with extreme and highly dangerous situations, Hélène Sparrow devoted herself to treating and helping wounded and sick soldiers, offering them protection and assistance. Often risking her own life, she showed a remarkable temerity reflecting her highly charismatic personality.

References

Archival Documents

Archives from Pasteur Institute

FR AIP DUR, Paul Durand (1886–1960)

FR AIP GRP, Paul Giroud (1898–1989)

FR AIP SPA, Hélène Sparrow (1891–1970)

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Information

Information: History Notebooks, 2023, Issue 150 (3), pp. 519 - 531

Article type: Original article

Authors

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5623-571X

Jean-Charles Foucrier
Université Paris-Sorbonne – Paris IV
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5623-571X Orcid
All publications →

Université Paris-Sorbonne – Paris IV

Published at: 2023

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Jean-Charles Foucrier (Author) - 100%

Article corrections:

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Publication languages:

English