Markus Herz was a German Jewish physician and lecturer on philosophy.
Education
He soon gave up his position as clerk and attended the University of Königsberg, becoming a pupil of Kant, but was obliged to discontinue his studies for want of means. In 1770 he had returned to Germany and studied medicine in Halle, where he became an Doctor of Medicine in 1774, in which year he established himself in Berlin, being appointed physician at the Jewish hospital.
Career
Born in Berlin to very poor parents, he was destined for a mercantile career, and in 1762 went to Königsberg, East Prussia. He thereupon became secretary to the wealthy Russian Ephraim, traveling with him through the Baltic Provinces. On August 21, 1770, he traveled from Berlin and acted as respondent when Kant presented his Inaugural dissertation at the University of Königsberg for the post of ordinary professor
Beginning in 1777, he delivered public lectures on medicine and philosophy, which were well attended by the students and the principal personages of the Prussian capital.
Herz married in 1779 Henriette de Lemos. And their house was for a long time the rendezvous of Berlin"s political, artistic, and literary celebrities.
In 1782 he became ill through overstudy, and had to give up his lectures till 1785, when a sojourn in Pyrmont restored his health. In 1791 he received the title of professor of philosophy at the academy and that of "Hofrath", but lectured only a few years, giving most of his time to his medical practise.
Foreign many years, Herz corresponded with Kant and their letters are considered to be of philosophical importance.
He died in Berlin.
Membership
At some of them even members of the royal family were present.