Wilhelm Netzel

Netzel was born in Stockholm and studied at Uppsala University, completing his dissertation in 1865 on puerperal changes in modern life. In 1863 he took a position as assistant in the obstetric department at the General Maternity Hospital in Stockholm. In 1864 he became a substitute lecturer in obstetrics and gynecology at the Karolinska Institute, and in 1865 became a regular lecturer and in 1879, a professor. In 1887 he succeeded Anders Anderson as professor of obstetrics and gynecology and retained this position until 1889.[1] He performed his first ovariotomy in 1869 and later published numerous studies, providing important research for development of medical procedures.[2] In 1904 he was elected an honorary member of the Swedish Society of Medicine. He died in Stockholm.

In 1866 Netzel married Swedish composer and music conductor Laura Netzel. He maintained a herbarium which was donated on his death to the University of Stockholm. A biography of his life was published in 1914 by Frans Johan Eugène Westermark.[3]