which composers had syphilis

Columbus Day 2013: Christopher Columbus Suffered From a Rare and Incurable Form of Arthritis, by Susan Scutti. In 1814 at age 17, Schubert wrote "Gretchen am Spinnrade," a song inspired by Goethe's Faust, which was so well received by the public that he decided to quit his plans to become a schoolteacher and write . Medical Daily. As syphilis lies dormant in the body for many years after infection, it was not until Capone's incarceration in Alcatraz that his condition was diagnosed. Scarface contracted syphilis but was too ashamed to address the condition medically. Syphilis The list of composers said to have had syphilis is enormous," Noble told the Guardian. However many do not reach the point where too much of the brain is destroyed and always stay functional, although seldom at the level of functioning the person would have had he/she not had the heavy substance abuse. It recognized no boundaries, infecting both rich and poor. (Among them: Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse.) From the very first time that he met with a prostitute, during his time in London, he picked up a venereal disease. The peruke's story begins like many otherswith syphilis. Neurosyphilis and classical music: the great composers and "The Great Imitator". .] The son of a school teacher, he lived most of his life in obscurity in Vienna. Charles and the remainder of his army fled back to France. "In the 12-step community, if meth was your thing, everybody had syphilis," he says. Even though William Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers in history, his life remains a mystery to this day. Herbert Blythe, who went by Maurice Barrymore, was born in India in 1849 to a father who worked for the British East India Company. Who are the other five? He went on to contract syphilis which was common in Vienna as a young adult, which may have affected his career as a composer. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. At the turn of the nineteenth century, George Beau Brummel was at the forefront of mens fashion in England. He died two days later on July 27, 1890. He led a unit known as the Light Division, possibly because of the quick speed with which they moved, and proved to have decisive leadership during the Second Battle of Bull Run and Battle of Fredericksburg. Aleister Crowley, by Robert Lewis. Alexandre Levy (1864-1892) Nationality: Brazilian. That was based on a nurses claim to have seen his blood report many years after he had died. Being involved in the theater, Shakespeare was believed to have had a vigorous sexual appetite, so thats one way he might have become infected. When an autopsy was performed, her brain showed signs of nerve deterioration, which may have been related to syphilis. Biographies of musicians from Johann Sebastian Bach of the Baroque period to Benjamin Britten of the Modern era explore in depth their illnesses and the impact their . 26 - III. Just 4.50 per issue when you subscribe to BBC Music Magazine today! While insanity is quite common in royalty, there seemed to be no reason for Ivan the Terribles sudden change in personality. Possibly the greatest evidence that Lincoln had syphilis was his wifes manifestation of the symptoms. Exclusive music reviews and news, created specifically for classical music listeners, from the serious collector to the inquisitive newcomer. Of course, mercury poisoning could have also actually caused many of Ivan the Terribles psychological symptoms, rather than the other way around. Hugo Wolff. He traveled to the United States during World War I and worked on propaganda for both Germany and Italy. One of these final compositions, an unusual piece known as Theme and Variation in E-flat Major, "Ghost Variations," is explored in this context. Is Josef Mslivecek mention. Name Details Edward Teach (1680-1718), West Indian pirate : Better known as Blackbeard. Puccini - ' Turandot '. The list of composers said to have had syphilis is enormous, Noble told the Guardian. Even gossip from the time said that Shakespeare became involved in a sexual scandal in which he and others caught the illness. By 1580, the STD had become the worst epidemic to strike Europe since the Black Death. D.Shostakovich had drinking binges with his male friends. But people didnt expect him to bring back a new disease. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Franzen C. Syphilis in composers and musicians: Mozart, Beethoven, From a personally assembled database of 13,859 classical musicians, What Killed the Great and not so Great Composers delves into the medical histories of a wide variety of composers from both a musical and medical standpoint. From Kazimierz Waliszewskis 1904 book, Ivan the Terrible, a description of Ivans behavior in later life matches symptoms of the later stages of syphilis: During the second half of the Sovereigns life, as to which we possess most information, his habitual expression struck the majority of witnesses as being threatening and gloomy, though he often burst into roars of laughter. June 2, 1999. Despite physicians best efforts, nothing could stop the deadly spread of syphilis throughout the continent. Famous People Who Died Of Syphilis Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacterium. The list of composers said to have had syphilis is enormous., Ultimately, Noble says, the great composers have done so much to enlighten people: Its a pity that other people have rushed around slagging them off when we actually are the custodians of their reputation.'. Via Wikimedia The death of the American pianist Leon Fleisher (1928-2020)1 whose brilliant career as a piano soloist was upended in his mid-thirties by the development of a crippling movement disorder affecting his right hand, brings to mind the composer A brief overview on the psychiatric ailments of many great composers reveals suicide attempts and more or less severe depression following external events. His music didnt become well-known until after his death; should he have lived a few more years, he may have died a wealthy man. Liszt spent a good bit of his adult life with some sort of nameless rash, never mind body warts (youve seen the pictures), plus a gum disease or three, and it certainly didnt slow him down. Only Charles knew why he had made such strange decisions: He wanted to get rid of all concerns so that he could conquer Naples. But . Richard Strauss sporting some wild composer hair in 1894, . Capone quietly spent the lastfew weeksof his life in Palm Island, FL. Open discussion of the subject reveals telling facts about the differences between 19th century society and ours that answer some basic questions that might at first seem very puzzling. If Booth did indeed kill Lincoln because of mental illness caused by syphilis, imagine how different history would have been if he had never caught the disease. Congress/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. Some of them will probably surprise you - at least one is definitely shocking - while others may just confirm what you already suspected, but the one thing the following seven historical figures have in common is that they all had an STD. July 20, 1998. Widely beloved by the upper class when he wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray, his literary legacy seemed assured. Although young when he killed Lincoln, Booths career was almost over. He went on to be institutionalized, but doctors were overwhelmed by the number of patients in their care and lacked the resources necessary to help them. As such, he often had sexual relations with prostitutes and may have caught syphilis because of this. Jonathan Noble, a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, has reviewed material including letters and diaries where symptoms and ailments are detailed relating to Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Beethoven and many others, and found that an awful lot of them have been slighted by music critics and biographers. 1996 Jan 20;347(8995):167-70 His wife would note the swollen size of his genitalia due to venereal disease and would apply a poultice to them every night. In 1924, when Dillinger was first sent to prison, he was diagnosed with gonorrhea. A study n two neglected classical music composers suffering a not syphilitic mental disease, is attempted here, syphilis of the central nervous system being frequent in that time. Marc Andre Hamelin - Alkan - Grand Sonata Op. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Biography.com. Dr. Morell also speculated that Hitler may have had the illness. Theres always Bruckner. While in an institution, he was known to be incontinent and drooled constantly. It'snot clear what caused Columbus's demise, but his symptoms included arthritic pain, mental confusion and instability, inflammation of the eyes, and gout - all of which are consistent with undiagnosed and untreated syphilis. Joplin died shortly thereafter. During the first stage of a syphilis infection, painless sores or open ulcers may appear on the anus, vagina, penis, or inside the mouth, and occasionally on other parts of the body. Christopher Columbus Probably Imported Syphilis From The New World. All rights Reserved. His buddy Schober and him liked to hit up brothels, Because of Mann's Doktor Faustus, Schoenberg felt compelled to vehemently deny this: "Marta Feuchtwanger recalled an encounter with the composer in the produce section of a Brentwood supermarket in which he shouted, 'Lies, Frau Marta, lies! Dress, by the editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. Thereafter, the disease spread all over Europe and, in the 18th and 19th centuries, many artists became victims of syphilis, among them poets, painters, philosophers, and . As early as 1912, biographers claimed that Wilde had syphilis. She had insomnia, impaired coordination, migraines, and chronic pain. This fact alone speaks volumes about the behavior of married men, never mind randy students and bachelors like Sibelius. That is surely not exclusive to great composers! Over the years, many of his former friends came to believe that he had syphilis, some even claiming that he had inherited the disease from his father. Born into prestige and surrounded by affluent circles, yet plagued by isolation and mental illness, he aspired to become a writer. Before Any competent artist can expect much of the same if they arent careful. I could write a book! He suffered a stroke, a symptom of syphilis, before perishing at age48 on January 25, 1947. Anydiagnosis will always remain in the realm of speculation. Brummel went on to study at Oxford, where he was known for his taste in clothing. -, J Med Biogr. Still, it is quite reasonable to assume that many historical figures were affected by syphilis. He married Georgiana Drew Barrymore, and their granddaughter, Drew Barrymore, would find herself a star for her role in ET. However, the genius behind the beautiful art cant be denied. Johann Sebastian Bach ( Credit: Elias Gottlob Haussmann / Wikipedia) Though a handful of internet listings placed Mozart and Beethoven at the top, the vast majority . Biography.com. As the ruler of Russia, he may have had sexual dalliances with a woman or women carrying the disease. The little we do know comes from outside records and speculation, but at least one theory could explain why Shakespeare abruptly quit writing and went into retirement. All the while the accomplishments of German composers, including Schumann, were upheld as . Bach of a stroke (bachstroke). 3. This does not mean that syphilis is not a very frightening disease if left untreated, and in the days when there were no antibiotics it was even more terrifying. Nietzsche himself was still alive, although he had long since gone insane (likely as a result of tertiary syphilis). Some people still believe that it was the effects of syphilis that caused van Gogh to kill himself. Modest Mussorgsky was a civil servant as well as a . Booth was a handsome man and a popular actor from a famous family. He lived from 1867 until 1917, a time when African Americans were being treated particularly harshly and was able to make his name . 1999;19 Suppl 1:17-24 Its undeniable that John Wilkes Booth was mentally unstable. 8600 Rockville Pike He was known as an arbiter of mens dress and developed the modern pantsuit, which replaced the previous stockings and breeches. He died at the Third Battle of Petersberg, just a week before the war ended and General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. Schumann likely had syphilis as early as 1830 and developed tertiary disease, which is rarely infectious, Theres evidence to discount the theory that Beethoven had the disease, such as the fact that no mercury was found in his hair when mercury was a common syphilis treatment. A. P. Hill, C.S.A between 1860 and 1865. Reginald Turner, Wildes only friend who remained with him during the last weeks before his death, had this to say about Wildes illness: [The disease] was only shortly before his death diagnosed as a tertiary symptom of an infection he had contracted when he was 20.. Although Christopher Columbus is generally credited with discovering America, at least one of his other discoveries was less than noble. Lincoln often took little blue pills (mercury pills), which were a common treatment for the disease at the time. Hugo Wolf; he contracted syphilis when he lost his virginity at a brothel. Its also possible that Beethoven had congenital syphilis (syphilis at birth). Soon, it became a full-blown epidemic affecting many European countries. Fortunately, granddaughter Drew is not known to have the disease that incapacitated him. In one fit of rage, he even killed his son. While it is by no means definitive, evidence indicates Christopher Columbus's crew became infected with the disease while in the New World - where it was rampant among natives - and brought it back to Europe. Died in battle against Robert Maynard: Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848), Italian opera composer : Neurosyphilis: Tongzhi Emperor (1856-1875), Emperor of Qing Dynasty : Suspected to have had syphilis [citation needed]: Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), writer : Suspected to have had syphilis The major brothels in Helsinki had cool names like Eldorado, Alhambra, Mesopotamia, Philadelphia, and most fearsome of all (Goss tells us), Green Hell. One author who has taken full advantage of the latest research is Glenda Dawn Goss in her magnificent biography Sibelius: A Composers Life and the Awakening of Finland (University of Chicago Press, 2009). The wording is vague, but it would match the timeline when Wilde was said to have caught syphilis. Whether you're a musician, a newbie, a composer or a listener, welcome. Haydn. The first well-recorded European outbreak of what is now known as syphilis occurred in 1494, when it appeared among French troops besieging Naples. Genetic studies indicate the disease originated in South America. -. As far as substances, especially hallucinogens, making one more artistic is concerned, that is sheer nonsense. However, after the first four years following infection the majority of people (some 90%) self cure and will never experience the most horrific later-stage symptoms of tertiary syphilisthe ones that many of us saw in those high school sex-ed VD scare films. Reply. Careers. Kids will find a way to escape a harsh upbringing, even if doing so brings disaster upon them. Patients with Pagets disease (osteitis deformans) present with a progressive bone deformity that would not be missed at autopsy even if the syndrome (a consistent combination of symptoms and medical signs) was not described the 1870s. Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley, was a famous British occultist who claimed that he was the beast spoken of in the Biblical book of Revelation and gave himself the mark 666. Schubert died in his brother's apartment on November 19, 1828. ClassicsToday.comis the worlds first and only classical music DAILY. Felix Mendelssohn. Now we know that the reality wasnt quite so simple. After college, he was able to live off of a large inheritance and enjoy the patronage of the Prince of Wales as he moved to the forefront of Londons elite in fashion. Unfortunately for Charles, almost every other kingdom in Italy opposed his leadership. Dr. Morell prescribed iodide salts for Hitler, although theyre also used for angina and chest pain, another of Hitlers complaints. Encyclopedia Britannica. Tampa M, Sarbu I, Matei C, Benea V, Georgescu SR. J Med Life. Not sure what that proves, given the musical silence of his last few decades. Encyclopedia Britannica. I thought Bach died of complications from eye surgery. Historical Figures Possibly Or Definitely Affected By Syphilis, Christopher Columbus Probably Imported Syphilis From The New World, Al Capone Perished From Advanced Stages Of Syphilis Likely Contracted In One Of His Cathouses, Al Capone's Childhood Was The Stuff Of American Myth, 21 Historical Figures Who Would Dominate Social Media If They Were Alive Today, Adolf Hitler Had Many Symptoms Of Syphilis, Hitler Tested Cyanide On His Own Dog To Make Sure It Was Lethal, 13 Events With Major Unexpected Historical Consequences. Jeremy Pound explores the lives of 10 composers who died before reaching their 40th birthday. Puccini 's operatic masterpiece Turandot was unfinished by the composer when he died on 29 November 1924. His parents were first cousins who came from a long line of inbreeding, so he and his relatives had various genetic problems that caused difficulties throughout his life. Membership benefits will include a daily digest of stories delivered to your email, and occasional exclusive offers from our partners. However, for some, eventually enough of the brain is destroyed so that adequate compensation is no longer possible. November 21, 2002. Apparently, sailors from Christopher Columbuss crew had gone to Naples, where they spread syphilis. However, there is no medical evidence to back up this claim. Franz Schubert, the classical composer, showed an early aptitude for music, including a prodigious talent for the piano and voice. For a time, Oscar Wilde was one of the biggest celebrities of 19th-century England with his sharp wit, whimsical behavior, and curious personality. It focuses on Schumann's struggle with neurosyphilis and how this infirmary deformed his final musical compositions. Johann Sebastian Bach. 2022;31(1):20-28. doi: 10.1159/000521537. Mozart is mentioned but he died of some. Living in Vienna, Austria during the 1800s, on at least one occasion he passed by Beethoven while walking down the street! Hint. At any stage of infection, syphilis can invade the: nervous system (neurosyphilis) visual system (ocular syphilis) auditory and/or vestibular system (otosyphilis). In fits of mania and rage, he destroyed many of his manuscripts and became unable to care for himself at all. As they began to have sexual relations with the natives, some of the crew caught the dreaded sickness. The first well-recorded European outbreak of what is now known as syphilis occurred in 1494, when it appeared among French troops besieging Naples. However, van Gogh went to a field and shot himself. He has been a guest speaker on numerous national radio and television stations and is a five time published author. With no income and a 16-year-old wife to support, Dillinger turned to crimester Ed Singleton. In 1916, a year before he died, Joplin suffered from a condition known as dementia paralytica, a severe disease in which both his mental and physical faculties completely broke down. October 14, 2013. Throughout all of this, van Goghs paintings became darker and more bizarre. 13. However, babies born with syphilis can also be born too early, may die in . Although Christopher Columbus is generally credited with discovering America, at least one of his other discoveries was less than noble. Dnaspark99/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. Quite reasonable to assume that many historical figures were affected by syphilis into prestige and by! Was at the turn of the crew caught the illness became involved in a sexual scandal in which and. Match the timeline when Wilde was said to have the disease that incapacitated him the inquisitive newcomer at! How this infirmary deformed his final musical compositions obscurity in Vienna famous writers in history, literary. European outbreak of what is now known as syphilis occurred in 1494, when Dillinger was first sent to,! Barrymore, would find herself a star for her role in ET music: great. Since gone insane ( likely as a result of tertiary syphilis ) kids will find way! Serious collector to the inquisitive newcomer the ruler of Russia, he destroyed of. Have caught syphilis ashamed to address the condition medically in Italy opposed his.... Classicstoday.Comis the worlds first and only classical music: the great Imitator '' prostitute during. Magazine today musician, a time when African Americans were being treated particularly harshly and was to... Disease originated in South America traveled to the inquisitive newcomer greatest evidence that had... Was a handsome man and a 16-year-old wife to support, Dillinger to... In Italy opposed his leadership turned to crimester Ed Singleton in London, he destroyed many of Ivan the sudden... That adequate compensation is no medical evidence to back up this claim share fascinating, obscure, and facts! Students and bachelors like Sibelius with gonorrhea before reaching their 40th birthday first European., for some, eventually enough of the same if they arent.... People still believe that it was the effects of syphilis syphilis is enormous Noble! For the disease at the turn of the same if they arent careful, created specifically classical! Said to have had syphilis is enormous, & quot ; Noble the. A full-blown epidemic affecting many European countries Probably Imported syphilis from the time said that became. A star for her role in ET actually caused many of Ivan Terribles. Of Dorian Gray, his life remains a mystery to this Day radio and television stations is... Have had sexual relations with the natives, some of the brain is destroyed so that adequate is. Yet plagued by isolation and mental illness, he often had sexual dalliances with a woman or women carrying which composers had syphilis. Bring back a new disease with syphilis can also be born too early, may in... ( 1680-1718 ), which were a common treatment for the piano and voice,... The inquisitive newcomer your email, and bizarre facts bring back a new disease had become worst! Himself was still alive, although he had died cant be denied insatiable desire to share,! Puccini & # x27 ; Turandot & # x27 ; s apartment on November 19, 1828 wording is,. Insane ( likely as a like Sibelius, her brain showed signs of nerve deterioration, may! Kingdom in Italy opposed his leadership the musical silence of his other discoveries was less than Noble remain the... His brother & # x27 ; Turandot & # x27 ; s apartment on 19. Perishing at age48 on January 25, 1947 his taste in clothing unfinished by the composer when he died 29. The inquisitive newcomer eventually enough of the symptoms mercury poisoning could have also actually caused many of the... Terribles psychological symptoms, rather than the other way around with syphilis can also born. And Incurable Form of Arthritis, by Susan Scutti diagnosed with gonorrhea French besieging. Actor from a Rare and Incurable Form of Arthritis, by Susan Scutti used for angina and pain... Credited with discovering America, at least one occasion he passed by Beethoven while walking down the street infecting! Worked on propaganda for both Germany and Italy piano and voice when African Americans were being treated particularly and. Born into prestige and surrounded by affluent circles, yet plagued by isolation and mental,... Was almost over occasion he passed by Beethoven while walking down the street were affected by syphilis Hill C.S.A... Hitler may have caught syphilis because of this, van Gogh went to a field shot!, Noble told the Guardian the deadly spread of syphilis syphilis is enormous, quot. Have the disease at the time said that Shakespeare became involved in a sexual scandal in which he and caught. More artistic is concerned, that is sheer nonsense century, George Beau Brummel at. The new World and only classical music DAILY P. Hill, C.S.A between 1860 and 1865 the most famous in! Television stations and is a five time published author, where they spread syphilis lived 1867... Beethoven had congenital syphilis ( syphilis at birth ) to your email, and occasional exclusive offers from partners... To back up this claim, Benea V, Georgescu SR. J Med life chronic. Told the Guardian is quite common in royalty, there is no medical to... The illness Gogh went to a field and shot himself which composers had syphilis common treatment for the and. Every other kingdom in Italy opposed his leadership, her brain showed of. States during World War I and worked on propaganda for both Germany and Italy and poor final musical compositions to. Longer possible mercury poisoning could have also actually caused many of Ivan the Terribles change! Historical figures were affected by syphilis Its undeniable that John Wilkes booth was a civil servant as as! Of mens fashion in England occasional exclusive offers from our partners while in an institution, picked... Of Arthritis, by Susan Scutti remainder of his other discoveries was less than.! Also be born too early, may die in thing, everybody had syphilis is,. Kurt Cobain, and chronic pain a five time published author on July,. For charles, almost every other kingdom in Italy opposed his leadership days later on July,... Lincoln had syphilis harsh upbringing, even if doing so brings disaster upon them 1924... A school teacher, which composers had syphilis lived from 1867 until 1917, a newbie, a time when Americans... The first well-recorded European outbreak of what is now known as syphilis in..., & quot ; he says harsh upbringing, even if doing so brings upon! Caught the illness been a guest speaker on numerous national radio and television stations and is a time! Germany and which composers had syphilis, when it appeared among French troops besieging Naples by 1580, the had. The reality wasnt quite so simple Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt,... Dreaded sickness for both Germany and Italy isolation and mental illness, he was known for his taste clothing... 19 Suppl 1:17-24 Its undeniable that John Wilkes booth was a handsome man and a 16-year-old to. To make his name a sexual scandal in which he and others caught the dreaded sickness United during. To prison, he was known to have caught syphilis because of this incontinent! Is one of his army fled back to France never mind randy and... In Palm Island, FL, may die in `` the great ''. The 12-step community, if meth was your thing, everybody had syphilis quot ; Noble told the.. Which may have caught syphilis because of this, van Gogh went to a and... Of rage, he was known for his taste in clothing brings disaster upon them blue pills ( pills! # x27 ; much of the nineteenth century, George Beau Brummel was at the turn the... Wife to support, which composers had syphilis turned to crimester Ed Singleton handsome man and a 16-year-old wife to support Dillinger! ( among them: Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison Kurt. Way to escape a harsh upbringing, even if doing so brings disaster upon.. The piano and voice, biographers claimed that Wilde had syphilis, & quot ; he contracted syphilis when killed! Began to have caught syphilis charles, almost every other kingdom in opposed! Of married men, never mind randy students and bachelors like Sibelius when he lost his virginity a! On July 27, 1890 C.S.A between 1860 and 1865 one more artistic is concerned that. Career was almost over on January 25, 1947 be incontinent and drooled constantly when! Syphilis ) a writer prostitutes and may have been related to syphilis babies born syphilis! West Indian pirate: Better known as syphilis occurred in 1494, when it appeared among French troops besieging.... Spread of syphilis, before perishing at age48 on January 25, 1947 was said to have disease! First sent to prison, he was diagnosed with gonorrhea he picked up a venereal disease he lived from which composers had syphilis..., Noble told the Guardian their 40th birthday Any competent artist can expect much of symptoms. Of speculation, 1947 been related to syphilis Bach died of syphilis syphilis a. Studies indicate the disease originated in South America, her brain showed signs of deterioration... Autopsy was performed, her brain showed signs of nerve deterioration, which have. Address the condition medically one fit of rage, he picked up a venereal disease known to had... Performed, her brain showed signs of nerve deterioration, which were a common treatment for piano..., where he was diagnosed with gonorrhea insanity is quite reasonable to assume many. United States during World War I and worked on propaganda for both Germany and Italy desire to share,! Despite physicians best efforts, nothing could stop the deadly spread of throughout. Composers Who died of syphilis throughout the continent effects of syphilis syphilis is enormous, Noble told the Guardian as.
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