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Paul de Kruif

Author profile

born

March 02, 1890 in Zeeland, Michigan, The United States

died

February 28, 1971

gender

male

genre

Nonfiction

About this author

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Paul Henry de Kruif was an American microbiologist and author of Dutch descent. Publishing as Paul de Kruif, he is most noted for his 1926 book, Microbe Hunters. This book was not only a bestseller for a lengthy period after publication, it has remained high on lists of recommended reading for science and has been an inspiration for many aspiring physicians and scientists.

He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree (1912) and remained to obtain a Ph.D. (1916). He immediately entered service as a Private in Mexico on the Pancho Villa Expedition and afterwards served as a Lieutenant and a Captain in World War I in France. Because of his service in the Sanitary Corps, he had occasional contacts with leading French bio...more Paul Henry de Kruif was an American microbiologist and author of Dutch descent. Publishing as Paul de Kruif, he is most noted for his 1926 book, Microbe Hunters. This book was not only a bestseller for a lengthy period after publication, it has remained high on lists of recommended reading for science and has been an inspiration for many aspiring physicians and scientists.

He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree (1912) and remained to obtain a Ph.D. (1916). He immediately entered service as a Private in Mexico on the Pancho Villa Expedition and afterwards served as a Lieutenant and a Captain in World War I in France. Because of his service in the Sanitary Corps, he had occasional contacts with leading French biologists of the period.

After returning to the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor, De Kruif briefly worked for the Rockefeller Institute (for Medical Research). He then became a full-time writer.
De Kruif assisted Sinclair Lewis with his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Arrowsmith (1925) by providing the scientific and medical information required by the plot, along with character sketches. Even though Lewis was listed as the sole author, De Kruif's contribution was significant, and he received 25 percent of the royalties. Many believe the characters in the novel represent people known to De Kruif, with Martin Arrowsmith (a physician, unlike de Kruif) possibly representing himself.
Some of his writings created problems for him. Some essays written while working for the Rockefeller Institute led to his dismissal. Ronald Ross, one of the scientists featured in Microbe Hunters, took exception to how he was described, so the British edition deleted that chapter to avoid a libel suit.
De Kruif was a staff writer for the Ladies' Home Journal, Country Gentleman, and the Readers Digest, contributing articles on Science and Medicine. He also served on commissions to promote research into Infantile Paralysis.
The Sweeping Wind, his last book, is his autobiography.(less)

combine editions
Books by Paul de Kruif

Average rating: 3.93 · 398 ratings · 62 reviews · 11 distinct works

	Microbe Hunters 3.92 avg rating — 384 ratings — published 1926 — 21 editions	My rating:
	A Man Against Insanity 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1957	My rating:
	Seven Iron Men: The Merritts & the Discovery of the Mesabi Range 4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2007	My rating:
	Men Against Death 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	My rating:
	Yellow Jacket 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings	My rating:
	Hunger Fighters 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1967 — 2 editions	My rating:
	Mužský hormon by Paul de Kruif (Author), Emilie Skálová (Translator), Jaroslav Skála (Translator) 2.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1945 — 3 editions	My rating:
	Our Medicine Men 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1922 — 3 editions	My rating:
	The Sweeping Wind: a Memoir by Paul de Kruif 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1962	My rating:
	Reader's Digest Best Loved Books for Young Readers (#12): Two Years Before the Mast, The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, Microbe Hunters, The Friendly Persuasion by Richard Henry Dana Jr., Howard Pyle, Paul de Kruif 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1968	My rating: