[On the 50th anniversary of the death of Erwin Payr (1871-1946)].

Erwin Payr was a man with a profound knowledge and extraordinary surgical skill, a brilliant teacher and a very loyal personality. By these attributes he became one of the most famous surgeons of this century. During his whole life he admired his academic teacher Nicoladoni who promoted him in any way. Owing to his powerful scientific activity, particularly in experimental research, Payr became soon a known scientist among his surgical colleagues all over the world. His great desire to become Professor of surgery was realized with the appointments to the chair of the Greifswald university and 3 years later of the Königsberg university. Payr's special personality became apparent with the chairmanship of the large department of surgery of the Leipzig university. During more than 25 years he took care of innumerable patients and educated many disciples who became later famous academic teachers by themselves. His scientific publications represented a special achievement. As head of an important and worldwide accepted surgical school, Erwin Payr has given his profound experiences to the following generations.