Karl Ferdinand Von Graefe

Karl Ferdinand von Graefe (or Gräfe; March 8, 1787 – July 4, 1840) was a German surgeon from Warsaw. He was also the father of Albrecht von Graefe and grandfather of Albrecht von Graefe.

He studied medicine at Halle and Leipzig, and after obtaining licence from the Leipzig university, he was in 1807 appointed private physician to Duke Alexius of Anhalt-Bernburg. In 1811 he became professor of surgery and director of the ophthalmogical institute at the University of Berlin, and during the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon he was superintendent of the military hospitals.

When peace was concluded in 1815, he resumed his professorial duties. He was also appointed physician to the general staff of the Prussian army, and he became a director of the Friedrich Wilhelm Institute and of the Medico-Chirurgical Academy (Charité). He died suddenly at Hanover, whither he had been called to operate on the eyes of the crown prince. His grave is preserved in the Protestant Friedhof II der Jerusalems- und Neuen Kirchengemeinde (Cemetery No. II of the congregations of Jerusalem's Church and New Church) in Berlin-Kreuzberg, south of Hallesches Tor.

He was a pioneer of plastic and reconstructive surgery, and a founder of German rhinoplastic surgery. He developed his own techniques regarding rhinoplasty, which were modifications of the Italian methodology of Gasparo Tagliacozzi (1545-1599) and the Indian surgical practices that dated from antiquity. Graefe also performed one of the first operations for treatment of a congenital cleft palate, and was a pioneer of eyelid surgery. His lectures at the university of Berlin attracted students from all parts of Europe.