Hélène Sparrow-Germa, a Polish-French biologist in the Resistance at the Pasteur Institute

Abstract

Hélène Sparrow-Germa (1891–1970) was a renowned French-Polish microbiologist, specialist in infectious diseases. Professor at the University of Warsaw, then member of the Pasteur Institute of Tunis, she was particularly dedicated to the struggle against typhus, having tried to get an effective vaccine to overcome the plague still deadly in the first years of the twentieth century. Hélène Sparrow devised an ambitious strategy, developing a sanitary fender on the eastern border of Poland against the spread of epidemics from Russia. The story of this French-Polish doctor is also repeatedly characterised by the ordeal of war. Willingly confronted with extreme and highly dangerous situations, Hélène Sparrow devoted herself to treating and helping wounded and sick soldiers, offering them protection and assistance. Often risking her own life, she showed a remarkable temerity reflecting her highly charismatic personality.