Josef Mengele was the eldest of three, born on March 16th, 1911 in the Bavarian Village of Gunzburg, Germany to Walburga and Karl Mengele. Josef Mengele described his father as cold, distant, and preoccupied by his work, and his mother as someone incapable of loving. Karl Mengele was the founder of a company called Karl Mengele & Sons, which produced farm machinery. Karl was known as a stern but fair employer. His wife, however, was an immense woman with a terrible temper. She was known to storm into her husband’s factory and chastise the workers for laziness and poor workmanship. Unfortunately, Walburga ruled her ruled her home with equal firmness and demanded respect and obedience from her three sons. Walburga strictly enforced the Catholic faith upon the household. It was clear that both behaviors of both parents had a lasting impression on Josef.
Despite the lack of love and affection in the household, Josef was known to be refined, intelligent, and popular in his town. Mengele did well in high school. He later went on to study medicine and philosophy at the University of Munich. In the year 1935, Mengele earned a PhD in anthropology from the University of Munich. Two years later, Josef Mengele became an assistant at the Institute for Hereditary Biology and Racial Hygiene. When studying genetics, Mengele had a particular interest in the mystery of twins.
Despite the lack of love and affection in the household, Josef was known to be refined, intelligent, and popular in his town. Mengele did well in high school. He later went on to study medicine and philosophy at the University of Munich. In the year 1935, Mengele earned a PhD in anthropology from the University of Munich. Two years later, Josef Mengele became an assistant at the Institute for Hereditary Biology and Racial Hygiene. When studying genetics, Mengele had a particular interest in the mystery of twins.