Willem Johan Kolff holds the title Righteous Among the Nations, given by Yad Vashem to those who saved Jews during the Holocaust at risk to themselves.
The record lists Willem Johan Kolff as Dutch medical researcher (1911–2009).
Willem Johan Kolff was born at Leiden in 1911. His recorded nationality is Kingdom of the Netherlands. He was educated at University of Groningen and Leiden University.
By occupation Willem Johan Kolff was physician, internist and university teacher - which is the point worth holding onto: the rescuers were not a special class of person.
The people honoured as Righteous Among the Nations were overwhelmingly ordinary; what distinguished them was that they acted while their neighbours did not.
Recognition: Righteous Among the Nations (2012), Japan Prize (1986), Harvey Prize (1972) and Wilhelm Exner Medal (1980).
Willem Johan Kolff died in 2009, aged 98. The people saved, and their descendants, are the part of the record that continues.
Achievements
- Righteous Among the Nations — 2012
- Japan Prize — 1986
- Harvey Prize — 1972
- Wilhelm Exner Medal — 1980
- Worked as physician, internist and university teacher
- Educated at University of Groningen and Leiden University
