Pierre Marie: gifted intellect, poor timing and unchecked emotionality

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Pierre Marie: gifted intellect, poor timing and unchecked emotionality.

Goetz CG.

Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University/Rush-Presbyterian-St.

Luke's Medical Centre, 1725 W. on Street, Suite 755, Chicago, IL 60612,

USA.

Abstract

Pierre Marie was a prominent member of the French neurological world of the

early twentieth century. Having been trained by the celebrated physician, J-M

Charcot, Marie remained influenced by his teacher throughout his career. Because

of this influence, his career can be logically divided into three phases: first,

the early years under the direct mentorship of Charcot (1878-1893); secondly,

the aftermath of Charcot's death when Marie left his teacher's institution, the

Salpêtrière hospital and established himself at the Bicêtre hospital in southern

Paris (1893-1918); and finally, Marie's return to the Salpêtrière to assume the

original Charcot chaired professorship, albeit as an aged man (1918-1925).

This essay examines Marie's career with an emphasis on documentation of the

combined attributes of a gifted intellect as well as a heated emotionality. In

the context of his time, these elements prompted Marie to enter into

controversies and medico-political battles that advanced neurological knowledge,

but likely disadvantaged him in his career successes.