(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

[Approx 1824 or 1825 - 1878]

Franz Alexander Hartmann was born in Saxony, Germany, around 1824 or 1825. Dr Hartmann obtained his qualifications (MD Leipsic) in 1847.

Soon after graduation he move to England where, according to the 1851 Census, he was a lodger at Queen Street, Norwich, Norfolk. He was listed as "M.D. Leipsic University". Dr Francis Alexander Hartmann was listed in the 1853 British and Foreign Homœopathic Medical Directory.

According to the U.K. Medical Register of 1859 he was at Surrey Street, Norwich. According to the 1861 Census he was still in Surrey Street, along with his younger sister, Fanny Hartmann, aged 31. He was a "naturalized British subject" and a registered physician. His sister was a teacher of languages and music.

The 1866 edition of the London and Provincial Homœopathic Medical Directory stated that he was at St Stephen’s Villa, Norwich. He was a Member of the Homœopathic Central Society of Germany, Member of the Hahnemann Medical Society, and physician to the Norfolk and Norwich Homœopathic Dispensary. His proving of Myrthus Conmunis was published in the Norwich Homœopathic Journal No. 2.

The 1866 Directory recorded the following publications:

Chronic Diseases and Their Homœopathic Treatment. Translated and revised from the Third German Edition, with additions, by Dr C.J. Hempel, 2 vols.

Diseases of Children, and Their Homœopathic Treatment. Translated, with Remarks, by Dr. C.J. Hempel.

Practical Observations on Some of the Chief Homœopathic Remedies. Translated from the German by Dr Okie.

Dr Hartman was married in 1869 at St Giles, London. (According to the later death notice for his wife which appeared in the Auckland Star, her name was Mary Ann, the eldest daughter of William Brooks of Thetford. She died several years after her husband on 29 June, 1882, at Dresden, Germany.)

Dr Hartmann and his wife arrived in Sydney, Australia, on 23 February, 1870 aboard the "Winefred".

During March 1870 he advertised that he provided homœopathic consultations at Gladstone Terrace, Bligh Street in Sydney. In April he moved to 126 Philip Street, Sydney.

During May 1870 he produced a publication, "Notes on Diphtheria", which was published by William Maddock of 383 George Street, Sydney. The advertisement for the publication stated that Hartmann was "late Physician to the Norfolk and Norwich Homœopathic Dispensary and Member of the British Homœopathic Society".

Dr Hartmann's advertisement for June 1870 stated that he was now registered by the Medical Board of New South Wales.

When John Bell, homœopathic chemist,  died in the first half 1870, the advertisement for the sale of the pharmacy  stated that the medicines included all the newest remedies and had been “carefully examined by Drs Brereton and Hartmann, who have kindly consented to bear testimony as to their quality and efficacy.”

After this relatively short period in Australia, Dr Hartmann and his wife travelled to New Zealand aboard the "City of Melbourne", arriving in Auckland on 6 January,  1871. Soon afterwards, in the same year, he became a Registered Medical Practitioner. The Daily Southern Cross of February 1871 advertised that Dr F.A. Hartmann, Homœopathic Physician of Waterloo Crescent, could be consulted at J. Pond's Homœopathic Pharmacy at 63 Queen Street.

Soon after his arrival, Dr Hartmann joined the committee of the Auckland Rowing Club, as well as the committee which aimed to re-form the Auckland Gymnasium Club.

Dr Hartmann became the editor of the New Zealand Homœopathic Gazette, price sixpence. The first edition was reviewed in early May, 1872. According to these reviews:

"As its title indicates, the Gazette is devoted to the advocacy of the principles of homœopathy, and various cases with their method of treatment are given. The magazine is neatly printed, and is altogether very well got up."

Also,

"The whole appears carefully compiled, and will no doubt be read with interest by the advocates of homœopathy. It will also prove of great help to those living at a distance and unable to seek the advice of medical practitioners."

The Homœopathic Directory of Great Britain & Ireland for 1872 and 1873 listed Dr Hartmann as a practitioner in Auckland.

The Auckland Star, 21 May 1878, reported Dr Hartmann's death, aged 53, at his residence in Alten Road, Auckland. He died of consumption - tuberculosis.

Dr Franz A. Hartmann died this morning at his residence, Emily Place, Auckland. Dr Hartmann was a disciple of the celebrated Dr Hahnemann, of Leipzic, in Saxony. Having finished his university studies in this city, he went to England, and settled in Norwich, where he became one of the visiting physicians in that populous city, and soon obtained a large practice in his medical profession. Failing health, however, and the coldness of Norfolk induced him to leave England for Sydney, where he practiced for two years with much success. Finding the field largely occupied by others, he turned to New Zealand, and in Auckland he soon established himself, and through his kindness and courtesy became a general favourite in his profession. He identified himself with popular movements, and was highly esteemed by his own countrymen, who regarded him as a true son of Fatherland. Dr Hartmann died this morning at half-past two o'clock quite conscious, and in full possession of his faculties. A short time before he died, feeling that his end was near, he expressed a wish to see his friends and neighbours, Mr Von der Heyde and Mr Whitaker, who were present at his death. Dr Hartmann was in his 53rd hear of his age.

The funeral procession included the above gentlemen, members of the German Association, and several representatives of the order of Rechabites "out of respect to their late surgeon". According to the Auckland Star, the funeral proceedings were carried out "as simply and unostentatious as possible in accordance with the expressed wish of the Doctor when living". Dr Hartmann was buried at St Stephen's, Parnell.

© Barbara Armstrong