Marc Armand Ruffer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marc Armand Ruffer
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| Born | August 29, 1859 Lyon, France
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| Disappeared | April 15, 1917 (aged 57) Aegean Sea |
| Occupation | Pathologist, bacteriologist |
| Known for | Pioneer of modern paleopathology |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Ruffer |
| Children | 3 |
Sir Marc Armand Ruffer (born August 29, 1859 – died April 15, 1917) was a scientist born in France who later became a British citizen. He was an expert in studying diseases (a pathologist) and tiny living things like bacteria (a bacteriologist). He is known as one of the first people to study ancient diseases, a field called paleopathology.
About His Family
Marc Armand Ruffer was born in Lyon, France. He was one of nine children. His father, Alphonse Charles Jacques Ruffer, was a Swiss banker. His mother was Anne Caroline Prieger.
In 1890, Ruffer married Alice Mary Greenfield. They had three children together. One of their daughters, Nina Ruffer, studied anthropology at Somerville College, Oxford.
His Education
Marc Ruffer studied in Germany and France when he was younger. Later, he attended Brasenose College, Oxford from 1878 to 1881. He then studied medicine at University College London. He also learned from the famous scientist Louis Pasteur at the Pasteur Institute in Paris.
His Career and Discoveries
Ruffer became a British citizen in 1890. In 1891, he was chosen to be the first director of the British Institute of Preventive Medicine. This institute later became known as the Lister Institute.
He moved to Egypt because of his health. In 1896, he became a professor of bacteriology at the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. He also worked on committees that dealt with health, disease, and cleanliness.
While in Egypt, Ruffer studied the tissues of ancient mummies. He published his findings, which helped create the new field of paleopathology. This field looks at diseases in ancient people.
Ruffer received several important honors for his work. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1905. He was also knighted in 1916, which meant he was called "Sir." He received other awards from different countries too.
His Final Journey
During the First World War, Marc Ruffer went to Greece. He worked there for the British Red Cross Society to help improve sanitation.
On April 15, 1917, he was returning to Egypt on a ship called the SS Arcadian. The ship was hit by a German submarine near the island of Milos, off the coast of Greece. The attack happened without warning. Sadly, 279 people lost their lives, including 35 crew members.
Marc Ruffer was seen in the sea twice. First, he was alive and upright, and then he was seen floating, believed to be dead. His body was never found. He was officially declared dead in 1918.
In 2016, after some research, he was recognized by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. His name is now on the Mikra Memorial in Thessaloniki, Greece. This memorial honors those who died and have no known grave.
Lady Ruffer, his wife, passed away in Alexandria in 1950.
See also
- List of people who disappeared mysteriously at sea
