G.A.van Rijnberk (1875-1953): spilfiguur van de Nederlandse geneeskunde in het interbellum

– G.A.van Rijnberk (1875-1953) was Dutch by birth but attended school in Italy and studied medicine there. He received his training as a scientific researcher in Rome from the famous physiologist Luciani. During the time that he spent at Luciani’s institute, he managed to gain attention for himself through his scientific work. In 1909 the University of Amsterdam appointed Van Rijnberk as a professor of physiology. He continued to produce scientific work during the first decade of his professorship but later focused on writing textbooks and his responsibilities as managing editor of the Nederlandsch Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde (Dutch Journal of Medicine) (1913-1946). In this role and over the course of the years he acquired the reputation of an autocrat who left his mark on the Journal’s policies. This was apparent in his attention to correct language use, interest in the history of medicine and the construction of a library. Thanks to his efforts, the weekly clinical lesson has been a regular feature since 1928. The property on Jan Luykenstraat acquired under Van Rijnberk’s management would remain the headquarters of the Journal for more than half a century. Van Rijnberk was also active as a columnist in the lay press and as an author of books on occultism.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2005;149:2985-91