Mauno Vannas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mauno Viktor Vannas (until 1905 Johansson, 18 August 1891 Uusikaupunki - 19 December 1964 Helsinki) was a Finnish doctor, University of Helsinki permanent ophthalmology professor and inventor of Vannas' scissors.[1]
Vannas completed his matriculation exam in Uusikaupunki yhteislyseo at the age of 19 in 1911.[1] In the same year, his mother died and his further studies were overshadowed by other unfortunate events. Vannas enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Helsinki but, at his father's urging, completed a degree in medicine in 1913. When Vanas's father drowned at work, Vannas was adopted as a foster child to the family of shipowner Carl Lundström.[1]
Vannas graduated with a bachelor's degree in medicine in 1917, but his medical studies were now interrupted due to the Finnish Civil War. He became the Finnish Red Cross ambulance doctor, and was imprisoned by the Red Guard. He was released on 4 May 1918.[2][3]
After the Civil War, Vannas served as a medical officer in the Hennala camp, the Ladoga Infantry Regiment, the Uusimaa Regiment, the Central Finland Regiment, the Vyborg Regiment, the Air Force and the Suomenlinna Garrison until 1926. In 1921 he was promoted to medical captain. Vannas was also awarded the Cross of Liberty.[2]
Vannas completed his studies and graduated as a Licentiate of Medicine in 1923.[1] He continued to work as a part-time military doctor at the Helsinki Military Hospital in the field of ophthalmology until 1937, when he became a professor.
Vannas became enthusiastic about Nazism after visiting Germany in the 1930s. He served as chairman of the Nazi Finnish Realm Union. Vannas met with the German military leadership and held meetings in 1941–1942. According to some researchers, the organization planned a National Socialist coup.[4]
