Mirko Dražen Grmek; Vladimir Dugački; usporedne biografije; povijest medicine

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between two key figures in the history of Croatian medicine—Mirko Dražen Grmek and Vladimir Dugački—with the aim of reconstructing their professional and personal dynamics, which, over the course of four decades, evolved from a classical mentor–mentee relationship into a deep intellectual friendship. Starting from the definition of the history of medicine as a discipline that goes beyond mere chronological recording of facts and engages with a broader social and epistemological context, the need arises to analyse the development of the relationship between Grmek and Dugački, which transcended conventional frameworks of mentorship and grew into a friendship and a productive intellectual collaboration that significantly enriched Croatian and European medical historiography. Methodologically, the paper adopts an interdisciplinary approach, combining classical historical analysis of archival material with a cultural interpretation of their intellectual milieu. In doing so, it seeks to address a historiographical gap—the fact that their relationship has so far been marginalised, particularly in its private dimension, which proves crucial for understanding their joint work. Their relationship was founded not only upon shared intellectual interests, but also upon deep mutual respect and friendship, enriched by the diversity of their perspectives, their exceptional expertise, and a commitment to the systematic study of the history of medicine. Thus, their relationship can be viewed not only as a personal and professional connection between two scholars, but also as a model for the development of the history of medicine as a discipline, highlighting the necessity of linking abstract concepts with empirical research. In this sense, their legacy remains permanently embedded in the foundations of both Croatian and European medical historiography. The evolution of their relationship—from mentorship to friendship—represents a value that is not only academic but profoundly human, reminding us that humanity, altruism, and empathy are inseparable from medicine, just as they are from its history.