Samuel Mendes da Costa studied medicine in Amsterdam, where he sat for his medical finals on 11 May 1889. He specialised in dermatology and venereology and settled in Amsterdam. In 1896 he was approved as unsalaried university lecturer in dermatology and urology at the Municipal University of Amsterdam. Two years later, he was appointed professor in dermatology and veneral diseases and in 1918 to professor by special appointment in dermatology and venereal diseases and in 1918 to a plain lecturer. In November 1931, the university accepted his resignation.
Samuel Mendes da Costa played a prominent role in the 'Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Dermatologen' (Dutch Association of Dermatologists), the Nederlandsche Vereeniging tot hulp aan Lupuslijders (the Dutch Association for helping lupus sufferers) and the 'Nederlandsche Vereeniging ter Bestrijding der Melaatschheid' (Dutch Association for the Fight against Lepracy). He was a Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion and also a(n honourable) member of the Société Française de Dermatologie et de Syphiligraphie and of the Rheinisch-Westfälische Dermatologenverein. He wrote the 'Leerboek der Dermatologie/Leerboek van de huidziekten en van hare behandeling' (Textbook of Dermatology/Textbook of Skin Diseases and their treatment' and the Textbook of Venereal Diseases/Textbook of sexually transmitted diseases). He was editor of the Acta dermato-venereologica.
J.H. Coppenhagen, Anafiem Gedoe‘iem. Overleden joodse artsen uit Nederland 1940-1945 (Rotterdam 2000) 116-117
This person lived alone or no information about family members is known or traceable.
In addition, a Jokos file (number 11877) on this person is at the Amsterdam Municipal Archive. Access is subject to authorization from the Stichting Joods Maatschappelijk Werk.The Jokos file reveals that a claim was lodged for compensation for looted securities or bonds. (W-claim, number Csp1, Asp2, Asp13,Asp16,Osp18,C129,138,140/1433).