Christian Fenger

Christian Fenger (November 3, 1840 – March 7, 1902) was a Danish-born surgeon, pathologist, and medical instructor. In the later half of his life, he worked at several medical institutions in Chicago, and became one of the most highly regarded surgeons in the United States.

Early life and education Fenger was born in Ringkøbing, the son of farmer Hans Frederik Fenger (1816–1901) and Frederikke Mathilde Fjelstrup (Fjeldstrup) (1816–1894). His brother was minister at Holmen Church and royal confessioner Hans Mathias Fenger. Their father owned Augustenborg Manor from 1861 to 1870. at the University of Copenhagen. He gained experience as a surgeon during the Danish-Prussian War and Franco-Prussian War He worked there until 1893, while also holding various teaching positions at the Chicago Medical College and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago. From 1893 to 1899, Fenger worked as chair of surgery at the Chicago Medical College; he then became a professor of surgery at Rush Medical College. Fenger's lectures were very popular, and over the years, he trained several prominent physicians, including William James Mayo, Charles Horace Mayo, Nicholas Senn, James B. Herrick, Ludvig Hektoen, and Howard Taylor Ricketts.