Famous Yet Forgotten Natives of Baja: Bódog Beck, the Father of Apitherapy

Abstract

This article revisits the life and legacy of Dr. Bódog Félix Beck, a native of Baja, Hungary, whose pioneering work in apitherapy earned him international recognition, yet remains underappreciated in his hometown. Born in 1868, Beck trained as a physician in Budapest before emigrating to the United States in 1901, where he gained prominence for his innovative use of bee venom therapy to treat rheumatic conditions and arthritis. He authored Bee Venom Therapy (1935), a foundational text in the field, and Honey and Health (1938), which explored the cultural and medical significance of honey. Despite initial controversy, Beck’s methods influenced modern medical and pharmaceutical
approaches to apitherapy, cementing his status as a trailblazer. Beyond medicine, he actively engaged with the public through lectures and publications. Beck’s contributions, including a vast library integrated into Cornell University’s Phillips Collection, remain influential today. Efforts are now underway in Baja to honor his memory through a memorial and the establishment of the Dr. Bódog Beck Memorial Medal by the Hungarian Apitherapy Association. This article seeks to reclaim Beck’s rightful place among Baja’s distinguished figures and highlight his enduring scientific impact.