Polish anatomist; born at Nadarzyn, government of Warsaw, 1816; died at Warsaw 1876. Hirschfeld received a Talmudical education at home, but, not being studiously inclined, at the age of seventeen he went to Berlin, where he earned his living as a violinist. Later he went to Paris, where, after many experiences, he became assistant janitor at the anatomical institute of the Sorbonne. Professor Orfila took an interest in him, and Hirschfeld soon showed his skill in making anatomical preparations. His patron rendered it possible for him to study medicine, which resulted in his receiving the degree of M.D. from the Sorbonne in 1853. Till 1857 Hirschfeld was assistant at the anatomical institute, and from 1857 to 1859 assistant at Rostan's clinic. In 1859 he was appointed professor of descriptive anatomy at the medico-surgical academy at Warsaw, and in 1871 was elected to the chair of anatomy in Warsaw University, which position he held until his death.
Hirschfeld was the author of: "Atlas du Syst�me Nerveux," Paris, 1853; "Anatomie du Syst�me Nerveux," ib. 1855; "Anatomja Opisowa Ciala Ludzkiego," Warsaw, 1861-69.