Here are 8 famous musicians from Austria died at 45:
Ernst von Fleischl-Marxow (August 5, 1846 Vienna-October 22, 1891 Vienna) otherwise known as Dr. Ernst von Fleischl-Marxow was an Austrian physician.
He was a notable figure in the field of neurology and is best known today for his research on cocaine addiction. Fleischl-Marxow was educated at the University of Vienna and began his medical career as a student of Carl von Rokitansky, the founder of modern pathological anatomy.
After completing his studies, he worked as a private lecturer and physician at the University of Vienna. In 1878, he was appointed professor of special pathology and therapy at the university. His research focused on the nervous system, and he was particularly interested in the effects of drugs on the body.
In 1884, Fleischl-Marxow's research on cocaine addiction was published in the journal Wiener klinische Wochenschrift. He had conducted experiments on dogs, administering them with increasing doses of cocaine until they became addicted to the drug. This research showed that cocaine had a stimulating effect on the nervous system, leading to addiction.
Fleischl-Marxow suffered from chronic pain throughout his life, and he became addicted to morphine. He died in Vienna in 1891, at the age of 45, due to complications from his addiction. Despite his personal struggles, Fleischl-Marxow's research on cocaine addiction was groundbreaking and paved the way for future research on the effects of drugs on the body.
Fleischl-Marxow was also known for his contributions to the understanding of nerve conduction and the measurement of electrical conduction velocities in nerves. He developed a technique called the "Fleischl's Method" that used a spring-loaded tambour to measure these velocities. This method became widely used in neurophysiology and was instrumental in advancing the field.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Fleischl-Marxow was a member of the Austrian parliament and was involved in politics. He was a vocal advocate for the education and rights of women and children. He also supported the establishment of a national health insurance program in Austria.
Although his life was cut short by his addiction, Fleischl-Marxow's legacy lives on through his scientific contributions and his advocacy for social and political causes. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of neurology and a champion for marginalized groups in society.
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Georg Joseph Kamel (April 21, 1661 Brno-May 2, 1706 Manila) was an Austrian scientist and botanist.
He is best known for his extensive contributions to the study of Philippine flora, after he was sent to the Philippines by the Vienna Jesuit College in 1687. While in Manila, Kamel established a pharmacy and a botanical garden, where he grew a large number of plants, many of which were previously unknown to Europeans. He wrote extensively about the medicinal properties of plants, and was especially interested in orchids, which he sent to Europe to be studied further.
Aside from his work in botany, Kamel was also a skilled linguist, and was able to speak several Asian languages fluently. He provided valuable assistance in translating documents and communicating with locals during his time in the Philippines.
Today, Kamel is regarded as one of the pioneers of Philippine botany, and he is remembered in the scientific name of the Kamel's orchid (Phalaenopsis kamelii), which he first discovered and documented.
Kamel was born in Brno, which is now in the Czech Republic, to a German family. He joined the Jesuit order in 1679 and completed his studies in Vienna before being sent to the Philippines. During his time in Manila, Kamel worked closely with local healers and studied their traditional remedies, incorporating this knowledge into his own research. His botanical garden became a hub for scientific exchange, and Kamel corresponded with a number of European botanists, sharing specimens and information.
Kamel's work helped establish the Philippines as an important center for botanical research, and he is considered one of the most important early figures in the field of Philippine botany. He died in Manila at the age of 45, reportedly due to overwork and poor health. Despite his relatively short life, Kamel left behind a legacy that continues to be celebrated today. In addition to the orchid that bears his name, several other species of plants are named after him, including the shrub Kamel's bougainvillea (Bougainvillea kamelii).
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Alfred Merz (January 24, 1880 Perchtoldsdorf-August 16, 1925 Buenos Aires) was an Austrian scientist.
He is known for his contributions in the field of radioactivity and nuclear science. Merz studied physics and chemistry at the University of Vienna and later worked as an assistant to the famous physicist, Ludwig Boltzmann. He was the first to produce artificial radioactive isotopes by bombarding stable elements with alpha particles. In 1911, he discovered the radioactive element radium emanation and developed a method for its purification. Merz's work helped lay the groundwork for the future development of nuclear technology. Despite his contributions to science, Merz's career was cut short when he died at the young age of 45 from malaria while conducting research studies in Argentina.
Merz was also a pioneer in the use of X-rays for medical purposes. He developed a vacuum tube that was used in early X-ray machines and improved the accuracy of X-ray images. Merz also made significant contributions to the study of cosmic rays, discovering that they are charged particles on their way to Earth from space. In addition to his scientific work, Merz was an advocate for peace and disarmament. He helped organize the first international conference on the peaceful uses of atomic energy in 1924. His early death was a loss to the scientific community, and he is remembered for his important contributions to the study of radioactivity and nuclear science.
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Johann von Herbeck (December 25, 1831 Vienna-October 28, 1877 Vienna) a.k.a. Johann Herbeck, Johann Franz von Herbeck or Johann V.F. Herbeck was an Austrian personality.
He was a renowned conductor and composer of his time, particularly known for his work as the musical director of the Vienna Court Opera. Herbeck was a pupil of Simon Sechter and began his career as the organist of the Schottenkirche in Vienna. He later became the conductor of the Vienna Men's Choral Association and the Vienna Singakademie, both prestigious institutions in the Austrian musical scene.
Herbeck was also a prolific composer, particularly of sacred music. His works include masses, motets, and oratorios, and he was widely regarded as one of the leading choral composers of the 19th century. He was praised for his ability to breathe new life into traditional works, as well as his innovative compositions that pushed the boundaries of the genre.
Herbeck's collaborations with famous composers such as Franz Schubert and Anton Bruckner cemented his place in the history of classical music. He was also known for his championing of young musicians and often provided opportunities for talented but unknown individuals. His work had a lasting impact on the development of choral music in Austria and beyond.
In addition to his work as a conductor and composer, Johann von Herbeck also held several notable positions throughout his career. In 1859, he was appointed the Court Organist of the Imperial Court Chapel in Vienna, and he later went on to become the Court Music Director of the Vienna Court Opera in 1870. He was also a director of the Vienna Conservatory, where he mentored and taught young musicians.
Herbeck's impact on the musical world was not limited to his work in Austria. He conducted performances in Germany, England, France, and Russia, and his compositions were played throughout Europe. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to draw out the best performances from his musicians.
Despite his achievements, Herbeck's life was cut tragically short. He died in 1877 at the age of 45, reportedly of a heart attack. His legacy, however, lived on through the many musicians he inspired and the works he left behind. Today, Johann von Herbeck is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of classical music in Austria.
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Wilhelm Grosz (August 11, 1894 Vienna-December 10, 1939 New York City) also known as Grosz, Wilhelm, Hugh Williams, Will Grosz or Wilhelm Groß was an Austrian conductor, composer and film score composer.
He began his musical career in Vienna as a pianist, before moving to Berlin in the 1920s to work as a composer for cabaret and theater. During this time, he formed a successful partnership with lyricist Eric Maschwitz, composing hit songs such as "These Foolish Things" and "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square".
Grosz also wrote scores for a number of films, many of which were produced in Britain. In 1933, he fled to the United States to escape the rise of Nazi Germany, and continued to compose for films and musicals in Hollywood. Some of his notable works from this era include the musical scores for "The Great Dictator" (1940) and "To Be or Not to Be" (1942).
Despite his successes, Grosz struggled financially in the later years of his life, and died of a heart attack at the age of 45. Today, he is recognized as an important figure in the development of 20th century popular music, particularly in the genres of cabaret and film scoring.
In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Wilhelm Grosz was also active in advocating for the rights of composers and musicians. He served as the Chairman of the Composers and Authors Society in London, and was instrumental in negotiating better pay and working conditions for artists. Grosz was also a prolific writer, contributing articles on music and politics to publications such as The New York Times and The Nation. His personal life was marked by multiple marriages and affairs, and he was known to be a heavy drinker. Despite these struggles, Grosz's body of work has endured and influenced generations of musicians and composers since his death.
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Leopold V, Archduke of Austria (October 9, 1586 Graz-September 13, 1632 Schwaz) was an Austrian personality. He had four children, Sigismund Francis, Archduke of Austria, Ferdinand Charles, Archduke of Austria, Archduchess Isabella Clara of Austria and Maria Leopoldine of Austria.
Leopold V was the youngest son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles II and Maria Anna of Bavaria. He started his military career at a very young age and fought in various wars, including the Thirty Years' War, on behalf of the Habsburgs.
In 1614, he married Claudia de' Medici, daughter of Grand Duke Ferdinando I of Tuscany. The couple had four children, all of whom went on to have distinguished careers of their own.
Leopold V was a patron of the arts and his court in Innsbruck became a cultural center, attracting many artists and musicians. He was also known for his architectural projects, including the expansion of Ambras Castle and the construction of Schloss Weißenstein.
When Leopold V died in 1632, he was mourned by many as a brave soldier, a devoted family man, and a generous patron of the arts.
In addition to his military and artistic accomplishments, Leopold V was also a skilled diplomat. He served as governor of Tyrol and was instrumental in securing peace between the Habsburgs and the Protestants during the Thirty Years' War. Leopold V was highly respected by his subjects and was known for his fairness and compassion. He was also a devout Catholic and supported the Jesuits in their efforts to promote the faith. Despite his many accomplishments, Leopold V was plagued by ill health throughout his life, and his early death was a great loss for the Habsburg dynasty. Today, he is remembered as a Renaissance man who made many contributions to the arts, culture, and political life of his time.
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Archduke Leo Karl of Austria (July 5, 1893 Pula-April 28, 1939 Bestwina) was an Austrian military officer. He had one child, Count Leo Stefan of Habsburg.
Archduke Leo Karl was the youngest son of Archduke Carl Stephan of Austria and his wife Archduchess Maria Theresia, born in Pula, Istria, Croatia. He had a military career and was an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army. During World War I, he was a cavalry officer and served on both the Eastern and Italian fronts.
After the war, he became involved in the Austrian monarchist movement and was a strong proponent of the restoration of the Habsburg monarchy in Austria. He supported the authoritarian Dollfuss regime and was considered a potential successor to Dollfuss before the latter's assassination in 1934.
Despite his political involvement, Archduke Leo Karl's health was poor, and he suffered from various ailments throughout his life. He died in 1939 at the age of 45 in Bestwina, Poland, and was buried in the Habsburg family crypt in Vienna. His son, Count Leo Stefan of Habsburg, later became the head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
Archduke Leo Karl of Austria was also known for his passionate interest in zoology and natural history. He contributed significantly to the field of ornithology and was an important patron and collector of bird specimens, amassing a vast collection of over 3000 specimens from around the world. He was a member of several scientific societies, including the Vienna Zoological Society, and helped found the Austrian Ornithological Society. Archduke Leo Karl also authored several publications on the subject of ornithology, including a book on the birds of the Habsburg Empire. In addition to his scientific pursuits, he was also an accomplished equestrian and participated in numerous horse riding events across Europe.
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Emil Weyr (July 1, 1848 Prague-January 25, 1894 Vienna) was an Austrian mathematician.
He is best known for his work on projective differential geometry, a field of mathematics that deals with geometric transformations and their properties. He is also credited with co-founding the Vienna Circle, a group of philosophers and scientists who met regularly to discuss logical positivism, a philosophical movement that emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence.
Weyr studied at the University of Vienna, where he earned his doctorate in 1873 with a thesis on optimal control theory. He later became a professor at the Technical University of Vienna, where he taught mathematics and physics. Weyr was also a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, where he served as president from 1890 to 1891.
In addition to his mathematical contributions, Weyr wrote several books and articles on philosophy and science. His work on logical positivism helped shape the movement, and his ideas on language and meaning influenced the development of the linguistic turn in philosophy. Despite his many accomplishments, Weyr died at the young age of 45, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering work in mathematics and philosophy.
Weyr had a keen interest in linguistics and was multilingual, speaking German, French, English, Italian, and Latin fluently. He believed that the study of language was essential to understanding the structures of human thought and was instrumental in the development of the theory of language games, a concept later popularized by philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Weyr's work on projective differential geometry resulted in the development of the concept of Weyr coordinates, which are used in the study of linear subspaces in projective geometry. He also made significant contributions to the study of isogonal trajectories, which are curves that intersect another set of curves at the same angle.
Weyr's legacy continues to influence the fields of mathematics and philosophy today. His work on logical positivism helped shape the movement and was instrumental in the development of modern scientific methodology. Additionally, his contributions to projective differential geometry established a foundation for further research and innovation in the field.
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