Herman Boerhaave erman Boerhaave was professor of medicine in Leiden, one of the most important professors the city has had in this field. Contempraries called him "praeceptor Europe", teacher of Europe. In 1770, half a century after his death, Frederick the Great of Prussia ordered all medical professors in his realm to teach in the style of Boerhaave. What made Boerhaave so special? First of all his didactic gifts and his devotion. Boerhaave was a gifted speaker, who, in the course of the years, drew 2000 students to Leiden. And he worked hard: he was professor in three fields (medicine, botany and chemistry). He pointed out to his students that medical knowledge was based on a thorough knowledge of other natural sciences, like physics and chemistry. Instead of twiddling around with powders and pills they ought to research in the field the cause of a disease. Logically, Boerhaave attached great importance to teaching in the hospital and the Caecilia Hospital provided twelve beds for this purpose. In this way the first, very modest, academic hospital as founded. Nowadays the Boerhaave Museum can be found in the building of the former Caecilia hospital. All his life Boerhaave lived in or close to Leiden. The longest journey he ever undertook was to Harderwijk, about 80 miles to the northeast, where he studied for a short time. There was no need to travel; students and patients came from all over the globe. Even czar Peter the Great of Russia honoured the doctor with a visit. Many locations still remind us of Boerhaave. The Latin School, where he was first taught; the Botanical Gardens, where he was director; the Anatomical Theatre where he studied and taught; the Caecilia Hospital where he worked; and his residences, among which numer 31 at the Rapenburg canal. Most of his work can be found at the Botanical Gardens of the Leiden university. Under his management the gardens were extended and became world famous. Boerhaave died 23 September 1738. He was 69 years old.