Prof. Dr. med. Kurt Seidel played an outstanding role in the post-war history of rheumatology in eastern Germany. This is documented by the textbook articles and review articles written by him, by the foundation and leadership over many years of the working and research group of rheumatology in Jena, by his role in the formation of the divided society of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and by the preparation of its chronical in 1984. An appreciation of his achievements against the background of the scientific political circumstances prevailing at that time is documented through a dissertation.
Keywords: East Germany; Professorial chair; Review article; Rheumatology; Working and research group of rheumatology Jena.