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Jan Theobald Held (1770 - 1851), also known as Johann Theobald Held was a Czech physician, educator, musician, and composer.
Jan Theobald Held | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 11, 1770 Třebechovice pod Orebem |
| Died | June 20, 1851 Prague |
| Other names | Johann Theobald Held; Jan František Held; Jan Orebský |
| Occupation(s) | physician, composer |
Early life and education
Jan was born in Třebechovice pod Orebem in 1770.[1] His early education took place in the town of his birth, where he received training in singing and in instrumental performance.[1] His father died in 1780, and he was sponsored by townspeople to join a choir in Prague, and also to attend secondary school, where his academic aptitude earned him a scholarship that allowed him to complete his education.[1] In the choir he had been a boy soprano, but at age 19 his voice no longer allowed this, so he turned his attention to violin and viola performance.[1] His teachers encouraged him to devote himself to the study of medical science,[1] and he received his M.D. degree in Prague in 1797. [2] Before his father died, he instructed Jan to pursue his fortune in a foreign country. Therefore Held intended to follow his older brother to Poland, but circumstances ultimately discouraged him from doing so.[1]
Medical career
He then practiced medicine at the Brothers of Charity hospital in 1799[2] at the invitation of his friend Dr. Daniel O'Hehir[1] At O’Hehir’s untimely death (age 27) in 1799[1] Held was chosen as his successor.[3] In 1813 he became head of the mental asylum there, and in that capacity was instrumental in modifying the treatment of patients to that of more humanely.[2] He devoted the greater part of his salary in improving the lives of individual patients and in maintaining the hospital.[1] He became head physician in 1822.[2] The next year he became the chief examiner for medical exams in Prague.[1] He served at Brothers of Charity until 1824.[2]
Later career
Five times he was elected dean of Charles University in Prague.[2] He became an imperial counselor in 1841.[2] In 1847 the physicians of Prague recognized his 50 years of service as a physician.[1] He died in Prague on June 20, 1851.[1]
Writings
Because he devoted so much time to patient care and the administration of the hospital, Held's publications are fewer than might be expected of someone holding his educational position.[1] His publications include:[1]
- Das Heimatsfest zu Hohenbruck, in Böhmen am 16.–18. Juli 1816, Prague 1818
- Ein Wort bei der Immatriculation der an der Prager Carl-Ferdinands-Universität sich den sämmtlichen Studien der Heilkunde widmenden Zöglinge, Vienna 1820
- Kurze Geschichte der Heilanstalt der Barmherzigen Brüder in Prag. Nebst Rückblicken auf Entstehung, Verbreitung und Schicksale dieses Ordens überhaupt, Prague 1823 (Digitalisat)
- Tentamen historicum illustrandis rebus anno MCCCCIX in Universitate pragena gestis, Prague 1827
- Blick auf Carlsbad. Ein Sendschreiben an den Herrn Johann Ritter de Carro, Prague 1835 (Digitalisat)
- Ein Wort an die Zöglinge der vom Vereine für Kirchenmusik begründeten Orgelschule, Prague 1837
- Zweiter Blick auf Carlsbad. Ein Sendschreiben u. s. w., Prague 1838
Musical contributions
In addition to the violin, he was an accomplished player of the guitar.[1] He published a set of folk songs under the pseudonym Jan Orebský.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p von Wurzbach, Constantin (1862). Biographisches Lexikon des Kaiserthums Oesterreich. Vol. 8. Vienna: Kaiserlich-königliche Hof- und Staatsdruckerei. pp. 243–246.
- ^ a b c d e f g Wallace, Edwin R.; Gach, John, eds. (2010). History of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology: With an Epilogue on Psychiatry and the Mind-Body Relation. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 297. ISBN 9780387347080.
- ^ "Held Johann Theobald". In: Österreichisches Biographisches Lexikon 1815–1950 (ÖBL). Vol. 2, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1959, p. 255.