The life and legacy of Yakov Lvovich Rapoport: the great pathologist and his contribution to medicine

Yakov Lvovich Rapoport is an outstanding Soviet pathologist, professor, who made a significant contribution to the development of medical science, and also left an indelible mark in the literature with his memoirs about the Doctors' Trial of 1953. This article discusses his contribution to the development of pathology, as well as examples of his scientific achievements. The authors of the article analyze the works by Ya. L. Rapoport, devoted to the study of immunopathological processes in the human body, pathomorphosis, as well as cardiomyopathies. The article describes the contribution of Ya. L. Rapoport to the development of new methods for diagnosing various diseases, as well as to the creation of new approaches to the study of pathological processes. The experience of scientific research and teaching at various medical institutes of Ya. L. Rapoport makes his research multifaceted. Separately, the article describes the turning points in the life of Ya. L. Rapoport. The early years of Ya. L. Rapoport’s life are interesting because of the choice between a creative career and medicine. In addition, participation in the Great Patriotic War left a big imprint on the scientist’s personal life and career. Also, a great tragedy - appearing in the Doctors' Trial of 1953 - changed the personality of Ya. L. Rapoport himself, as well as the relationships within his family, according to the descriptions in his memoirs. The scientific career and research interests of Ya. L. Rapoport from that moment also proceeded differently. The daughters of Yakov Lvovich Rapoport, Noemi Yakovlevna and Natalya Yakovlevna, in their articles, notes and books, cited vivid memories of various moments in their father’s life, which was also reflected in the text of the article.