This transition from his training in Prague and Vienna marked the beginning of his role in introducing modern medical education to the Iranian academic system.
Academic and Medical Transition
Upon arrival at Dar al-Fonun, Polak initially conducted his medical instruction using French with the assistance of a translator. Identifying significant limitations in the quality of these translations, he dedicated six months to learning Persian, subsequently teaching his entire curriculum in the local language. Between 1855 and 1860, his professional duties expanded when he was appointed the personal physician to Naser al-Din Shah Qajar.
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Beyond his clinical and teaching duties, Polak maintained an active research agenda. His observations during his decade in the region culminated in the 1865 ethnographic work, Persien, das Land und seine Bewohner; Ethnograpische Schilderungen.
Professional Outputs and Final Years
Polak authored several specialized texts, including Bimari i vaba and a study on military medicine published in 1865. His later academic interests were diverse, covering topics from Persian carpet colors to agrarian conditions. After returning to Austria, he continued his work associated with the University of Vienna. He was honored with the Order of Franz Joseph and was buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Vienna following his death in 1891.
Fast facts
- Born: 1818, Mořina
- Died: 1891, Vienna
- Citizenship: Austrian Empire
- Primary Occupation: Physician and university teacher
- Employer: University of Vienna
- Royal Service: Personal physician to Naser al-Din Shah Qajar
- Key Publication: Persien, das Land und seine Bewohner
- Award: Order of Franz Joseph
Questions readers ask
What institution did Polak serve in Iran?
He taught at Dar al-Fonun, which was the first modern higher education institution established in Iran.
Who succeeded Polak as the Shah's personal physician?
The French physician Joseph Désiré Tholozan succeeded him in that capacity.
Which major botanical discovery effort did he fund?
He funded an expedition by the Viennese botanist Otto Stapf in 1885 to research plant species in South and Western Iran.
Achievements
- Order of Franz Joseph
- Held posts at University of Vienna
