Weidenreich, Franz (1873–1948)

David Alexander Lukaszek

German-Jewish physical anthropologist and anatomist Franz Weidenreich was known for his evaluation and interpretation of Sinanthropus pekinensis . Born in Endenkoben, Germany, Weidenreich developed an interest in skeletal structure and bipedal locomotion. Educated at several universities, Weidenreich received his MD from the University of Strasbourg (1899) and remained to teach anatomy. Shortly after graduation, he was appointed as an anatomy professor for the University of Heidelberg (1919). With developing interest in anthropology, Weidenreich left his position at Heidelberg for anthropology at the University of Frankfurt (1928–1933). Because of Germany's growing discontent toward citizens of Jewish descent, he left in 1934 for the United States. His association with the University of Chicago and the American Museum of Natural History would fall short of his accomplishments at the Peking Union Medical College. As Director of the Cenozoic Laboratory of the Peking Union Medical College, Weidenreich continued the research on Sinanthropus pekinensis Apes, ...

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