Georg Joseph Beer: A review of his life and contributions

Abstract

The establishment of ophthalmology as an independent scientific speciality came about largely through the efforts and example of Georg Joseph Beer in Vienna in the early nineteenth century. Beer was outstanding in his clinical practice of ophthalmology and surgery, as a teacher and as an author. He was the founder of the first ophthalmological school and clinic. His greatest text was his Lehre von den Augenkrankheiten, the first volume of which appeared in 1813 and the second in 1817. In 1819, George C. Monteath translated and edited the work. For the English-speaking physician this translation remains the finest testament to Georg Beer’s genius and perception.

Much of the material presented here previously appeared in the “Notes” accompanying the facsimile edition of Monteath’s translation of Beer’s Lehre von den Augenkrankheiten published by Gryphon Editions in 1985. This is reprinted with the permission of the publisher.