Ruth Silberberg Oral History

Interviewee

Ruth Silberberg

Interviewer

Estelle Brodman, PhD

Files

Summary

Ruth Silberberg was interviewed by Estelle Brodman on January 16, 1976 for approximately 53 minutes.

Scope and Content

Silberberg discusses differences in medical education in Europe and the United States. She also discusses changes in the field of pathology in general and in the Department of Pathology at the Washington University School of Medicine over the course of her career. She recalls changes due to the development of electron microscopy are recalled, as well as the difficulties she encountered working under dean of the medical school and head of the pathology department, Robert A. Moore. Silberberg discusses the rise of Nazism and how she and her husband, Martin Silberberg, left Germany. She also describes her research in growth and aging, the study of osteoarthritis, and the relation of diabetes and joint disease.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Ruth Silberberg (1906-1997), a native of Germany, was associated with the Washington University School of Medicine for over 60 years. She devoted her career to the pathology of aging, becoming an internationally recognized authority on degenerative arthritis. She authored or co-authored almost 200 scientific publications over the course of her career. Silberberg received her medical degree from the University of Breslau in 1931. She trained in pathology at the University until 1934, when she and her husband, Martin Silberberg, MD, fled to Canada to escape emerging Nazism. In 1936, they moved to St. Louis to join the Department of Pathology at the Washington University School of Medicine. After a four-year fellowship at New York University in the early 1940s, both Ruth and Martin Silberberg returned to Washington University as instructors in Pathology. They often collaborated on research until Martin's death in 1966. Silberberg was promoted to assistant professor of Pathology in 1950, to associate professor in Pathology in 1957, and to professor of Pathology in 1968. She became professor emeritus of pathology and lecturer in 1975. A few years later Silberberg emigrated to Israel, where she remained active in medical research until her death.

Biographical Information: Interviewer

Estelle Brodman, PhD (1914-2007) served as an Assistant librarian for reference service at the National Library of Medicine, 1949-1961. She became the Library Director and Professor of Medical History at Washington University School of Medicine in 1961 and served in these positions until her retirement in 1981. Brodman served as the Editor of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association from 1947-1957, and as President of the Medical Library Association, 1964-1965.

Interview Date

1976-01-16

Collection Identifier

OH020

Length

Approximately 53 minutes.

Restrictions

Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Recommended Citation

Ruth Silberberg Oral History, OH020, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Notes

The audio quality, especially the sound level, is inconsistent.

Disclaimer

The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.