Paul Gottlieb Werlhof

Paul Gottlieb Werlhof (March 24, 1699 - July 26, 1767) was a German physician and poet who was a native of Helmstädt. He studied medicine at the University of Helmstädt under Lorenz Heister (1683-1758) and Brandanus Meibom (1678-1740), who was the son of Heinrich Meibom (1638-1700). After completing his studies, he practiced medicine in Peine for four years, and in 1725 moved to Hannover, where he became one of the more influential physicians in Europe. In 1740 was appointed Königlicher Leibarzt, physician to Hannover royalty. Werlhof would remain in Hannover until his death in 1767.

In 1735, Werlhof was the first physician to describe idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). He was a highly regarded poet, and was a good friend of anatomist Albrecht von Haller (1708-1777), who was also an accomplished poet. Werlhof composed his poems and hymns in German, while his medical works were written in Latin. Among his written works were a 1732 treatise on fevers called Observationes de febribus, and a collection of poetry titled Gedichte.