Oskar Kohnstamm papers, 1900-1983, bulk Bulk, 1905-1918

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Kohnstamm, Oskar
Abstract:
Papers of Dr. Oskar Kohnstamm, M.D. (1871-1917). The collection is predominantly made up of Dr. Kohnstamm's published work and research in medical journals. It also includes materials that concern both Dr. Kohnstamm and the Sanatorium Dr. Kohnstamm, which he established; there are photographs, newspaper articles, and informational brochures. Dr. Oscar (Oskar) Kohnstamm, M.D. was a nerve and neurology specialist working around the turn of the 20th century in Koenigstein im Taunus, Germany. In 1902, he and his wife started a sanatorium for his psychiatry patients and constructed a dedicated building for this practice in 1904-1905. By 1911 it was successful enough to be updated, remodeled, and expanded. He treated predominantly internal and nervous ailments, and was published on subjects as wide ranging as hypnosis, the physiology of the brain and spinal cord, and psychiatric illness.
Extent:
0.84 Linear feet 2 boxes
Language:
German and Most of the material is in German.
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Oskar Kohnstamm papers, Collection no. 6046, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Background

Scope and content:

The Oskar Kohnstamm papers represent many parts of his medical career, both researching neurology and psychiatry and establishing a well-known sanatorium.

The Medical Journals series contains published research articles, predominantly by Dr. Kohnstamm but also including a couple from collegues on related topics. The majority of the journals are from German publications, and have been placed in chronological order but original folder divisions have been maintained.

The series entitled "Materials concerning Dr. Kohnstamm and his Sanatorium in Koenigstein im Taunus" contains ephemera, newspapers, and other materials concerning Dr. Kohnstamm's biographical details, or information regarding the establishment and running of the Sanatorium Dr. Kohnstamm. These materials were also placed in chronological order but original folder divisions have been maintained.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Oscar (Oskar) Kohnstamm, M.D. was born in Pfungstadt in 1871. After studying in Giessen, Strassburg, and Berlin (particularly under renowned pathologist Rudolf Virchow) he came to Koenigstein in 1894, where he set up his own medical practice. In 1896, he married Eva Pauline Gad, the daughter of one of his professors, Johannes Gad, M.D. Dr. Kohnstamm specialized in physical, neurological, psychological therapy. In 1902, he and his wife started a sanatorium for his psychiatry patients. They constructed a building just for this purpose in 1904-1905, and in 1911 it was successful enough to be updated, remodeled, and expanded. He treated predominantly internal and nervous ailments, and was published on subjects as wide ranging as hypnosis, the physiology of the brain and spinal cord, and psychiatric illness.

Dr. Kohnstamm was known for hosting cultural activities in the Turnhalle part of the Sanatorium building, with concerts and theater productions that both guests and patients could enjoy. Many well-known people and their families came to the Sanatorium Dr. Kohnstamm in Koenigstein for treatment, and Dr. Kohnstamm's circle of friends came to include such people as Henry van de Velde, Alexander der Moissi, Karl Wolfskehl, Botho Graef, Stefan George, and Otto Klemperer. Perhaps Dr. Kohnstamm's most famous patient was renowned artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who had stayed at the Sanatorium in June and July of 1916. He created a portrait of Kohnstamm and a series of murals on the walls of the Brunnenturm of the Sanatorium, the latter of which were tragically destroyed during the Nazi period. After his oldest son Rudolf died in World War I in 1916 at the age of 19, Kohnstamm's own health began to fail rapidly, and he died of appendicitis while in Frankfurt in 1917. However, the Sanatorium Dr. Kohnstamm stayed open for business and research until 1939, when all businesses run by those with Jewish descent were forced to be sold or closed. Parts of the Sanatorium building were eventually destroyed in an air raid on 1945 February 2-3. The remaining Sanatorium building has been used as a post office.

Information gathered in part from: Sturm-Godramstein, Heinz. Juden in Koenigstein: Leben, Bedeutung, Schicksale. Koenigstein im Taunus: Magistrat der Stadt Koenigstein Stadtarchiv, 1983.

This book is found in folder 2.16 of the Kohnstamm papers.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Ann C. Hayman, February 14, 2014.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Oskar Kohnstamm papers, Collection no. 6046, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Location of this collection:
Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library, Room 209
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189, US
Contact:
(213) 740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Website