Leonard Polak Daniels studied medicine in Leiden, where he sat for his medical finals on 8 February 1900. He continued his studies in Berlin. After his return to Leiden he first became assistant gynaecologist and subsequently assistant in pathological anatomy. In 1903, he became assistant-physician in the Municipal Hospital in The Hague. In 1913, he became pathologist-anatomist and in 1917, senior medical officer. On 1 July 1914, he received an honorary doctorate in medicine from the University of Groningen. In 1918, the same university appointed him professor in medicine and pharmacology. His inaugural lecture was titled 'Some observations on functional disorders as foundation of medical theory'. He published several books and articles.
Leonard Polak Daniels lived and practised at the Eemskanaal 3 in Groningen. In 1917, he was co-founder of the Dutch General Pathology Assocation. In 1916, the Dutch Red Cross awarded him the Cross of Merit and in 1937, he was made Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion.
Leonard Polak Daniels was married. In May 1940, he took his own life.
J.H. Coppenhagen, Anafiem Gedoe‘iem. Overleden joodse artsen uit Nederland 1940-1945 (Rotterdam 2000) 128-129
Biography