Wolfgang Frobenius

PD Dr. med. Wolfgang Frobenius serves as a Privatdozent (equivalent to Associate Professor) at the Institute for the History and Ethics of Medicine at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), where he holds the Chair of the History of Medicine. Although listed as a freelancer on the institute's website, his academic title and extensive publication record establish him as a significant contributor to medical history scholarship. His work primarily focuses on the intersection of medicine, ethics, and historical context, particularly examining German medical societies during the Nazi era.

Frobenius's research interests span the history of medicine with particular emphasis on gynecology, medical ethics, Nazi-era medicine, and the history of contraception. His scholarship demonstrates remarkable consistency in examining how medical professionals and institutions navigated the challenges of the Nazi period, with particular attention to the German Society of Gynecology. He has produced a substantial body of work documenting the persecution of Jewish physicians, forced sterilizations, and the complex relationship between medical practice and political ideology during this dark chapter of medical history.

Analysis of Frobenius's recent publications reveals a clear trajectory focusing on the historical examination of honorary memberships within German medical societies, particularly their evolution through the German Empire, Nazi era, and post-WWII reconstruction. His work combines meticulous archival research with critical analysis of how medical institutions confronted (or failed to confront) their complicity in Nazi policies. The publications demonstrate expertise in both the technical aspects of medical history and the ethical dimensions of medical practice under totalitarian regimes.

Frobenius has made significant contributions through numerous publications in medical history journals and edited volumes, often collaborating with colleagues like Fritz Dross and Andreas Thum. His research has focused extensively on documenting the history of the Erlangen University Medical Center, the development of hormonal contraception, and the professional trajectories of physicians during politically turbulent times. As a historian of medicine with medical training (indicated by his Dr. med. title), he brings both clinical understanding and historical methodology to his work.