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George Joseph Beer (1763-1821)
George Joseph Beer received his medical degree from the University of Vienna Medical School in 1786. He then became the apprentice of Joseph Barth (1745-1818), a professor of surgery and ophthalmology. During his apprenticeship Beer was expected to make anatomical illustrations while Barth refused to teach him any surgical techniques. Beer eventually left the apprenticeship and taught himself how to perform cataract and other surgical procedures.
In 1786 Beer opened a clinic and school of ophthalmology and eventually became the professor of ophthalmology at the University of Vienna. Among his many famous students were Carl Ferdinand von Graefe, William MacKenzie and George F. Frick. Dr. Beer's techniques, writings and ophthalmology practice were models for his students and would influence a generation of European and American physicians.
