Thomas Rabe

Thomas N. Rabe
Rabe in 2008
Thomas N. Rabe
Born	18 2, 1951
Birthplace	Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Nationality	German
Occupation	Gynaecologist, lecturer

Thomas N. Rabe (born 18 February 1951 in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) is a German physician and academic who serves as a professor of gynaecology and obstetrics at the Heidelberg University Hospital. A specialist in reproductive medicine, Rabe has authored numerous scientific publications and reference books throughout his career. Beyond his medical work, he is recognized for his efforts to preserve and promote the legacy of his grandfather, John Rabe, the German businessman who sheltered hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937–1938. Thomas Rabe has been involved in fostering understanding between Germany and China, drawing on the humanitarian example set by his grandfather to promote peace and cross-cultural dialogue. His dual roles as a medical professional and custodian of historical memory have made him a figure of interest both in academic medicine and in the broader context of German-Chinese relations.

Early Life

Thomas N. Rabe was born on 18 February 1951 in Heidelberg, a university city in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany. He is the grandson of John Rabe, a German businessman and member of the Nazi Party who, despite his political affiliation, became known as the "Good Man of Nanjing" for his role in establishing the Nanking Safety Zone during the Second Sino-Japanese War. John Rabe is credited with helping to protect an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 Chinese civilians from the violence of the Nanjing Massacre perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army in December 1937 and January 1938.

The legacy of John Rabe cast a long shadow over the family. After returning to Germany in 1938, John Rabe faced interrogation by the Gestapo for his reports about Japanese atrocities and later lived in poverty in post-war Berlin before his death in 1950 — just one year before Thomas Rabe's birth. The family's connection to this chapter of history would later become a central aspect of Thomas Rabe's public life, as he took on the role of preserving and disseminating his grandfather's story to new generations.

Growing up in Heidelberg, a city with a strong academic tradition centered on Heidelberg University — one of the oldest universities in Germany, founded in 1386 — Rabe was situated in an environment that valued scholarship and intellectual inquiry. This upbringing appears to have influenced his eventual career path into academic medicine.

Career

Medical Career

Thomas Rabe pursued a career in medicine, specializing in gynaecology and obstetrics. He became affiliated with the Heidelberg University Hospital and the Heidelberg University School of Medicine, where he rose to the rank of professor. His academic work has resulted in numerous scientific publications and reference books in his field of specialization. His published works are catalogued in multiple international library authority files, including the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, the Library of Congress, and the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF), reflecting the international reach of his scholarly contributions.

As a gynaecologist and lecturer at one of Germany's leading university hospitals, Rabe contributed to both clinical practice and medical education, training the next generation of physicians in the fields of reproductive medicine and obstetrics. His body of work as documented in the Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek (German Digital Library) reflects a sustained research output over the course of his career.

Preservation of John Rabe's Legacy

Parallel to his medical career, Thomas Rabe has been a central figure in the preservation and promotion of the legacy of his grandfather, John Rabe. This work has brought him international attention, particularly in China, where John Rabe is venerated as a humanitarian hero.

John Rabe's wartime diaries, which documented the atrocities of the Nanjing Massacre, were discovered by Thomas Rabe and other family members in the 1990s. The publication of these diaries brought renewed global attention to both the historical events and the role John Rabe played in attempting to protect Chinese civilians. Thomas Rabe has since served as the primary custodian of his grandfather's historical materials and has worked to ensure that the story remains part of the public consciousness.

In a 2025 report by China.org.cn, Thomas Rabe was described as carrying on the legacy of the "Good Man of Nanjing," highlighting his continued involvement in commemorative activities and his role in fostering understanding between Germany and China. In the minds of the Chinese people, the name John Rabe holds deep significance, and Thomas Rabe's efforts to honor his grandfather's memory have contributed to the ongoing relationship between the two countries.

A 2020 article in the China Daily further documented Thomas Rabe's role in preserving his grandfather's legacy and promoting cross-cultural understanding. The article highlighted the significance of the Rabe family's connection to Chinese history and the ongoing interest in John Rabe's story among Chinese audiences.

Engagement in German-Chinese Relations

Thomas Rabe's involvement in German-Chinese relations extends beyond personal family history. He has participated in events and initiatives aimed at promoting understanding between the two nations, using his grandfather's story as a bridge for dialogue on peace, reconciliation, and humanitarian values.

In connection with the 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai, Rabe's role in coming to terms with Germany's past and promoting understanding between nations was highlighted. His work was seen as an example of how personal and familial history could serve as a catalyst for broader diplomatic and cultural engagement.

In 2009, the German student newspaper Ruprecht published a report on Rabe's commitment to peace, further documenting his public engagement beyond the medical sphere. The article described his efforts to use his grandfather's example as a means of promoting reconciliation and understanding.

Thomas Rabe has spoken publicly about the significance of his grandfather's actions and the lessons they hold for contemporary society. His engagement has been recognized both in Germany and in China, where he has participated in commemorative events and maintained relationships with Chinese institutions and scholars interested in the history of the Nanjing Massacre and the Safety Zone.

Personal Life

Thomas Rabe was born and has spent much of his life in Heidelberg, where he is based at the university hospital. His most prominent personal connection is to his grandfather, John Rabe, whose legacy has shaped a significant dimension of Thomas Rabe's public life. Thomas Rabe has taken on the responsibility of managing and disseminating his grandfather's historical documents, including the wartime diaries that chronicle the events of the Nanjing Massacre.

The Rabe family's connection to the history of the Nanjing Massacre has meant that Thomas Rabe has maintained ongoing ties with China and with Chinese communities around the world who honor John Rabe's memory. This relationship has involved travel to China and participation in various memorial and educational events related to the wartime history of Nanjing.

Legacy

Thomas Rabe occupies a distinctive position as both a medical academic and the custodian of one of the more remarkable humanitarian stories of the twentieth century. While his professional career in gynaecology and obstetrics at Heidelberg University Hospital represents his primary vocation, it is his role in preserving the memory of his grandfather, John Rabe, that has given him an international profile.

John Rabe's story — that of a German businessman and Nazi Party member who, through his leadership of the Nanking Safety Zone, helped protect approximately 200,000 to 250,000 Chinese civilians from mass violence — remains one of the more complex and compelling narratives of the Second World War era. Thomas Rabe's decision to bring his grandfather's diaries to public attention in the 1990s was instrumental in reviving global awareness of these events. The diaries subsequently formed the basis for several books, documentaries, and films, including the 2009 German-Chinese-French film John Rabe.

In China, the name Rabe carries deep historical significance. The John Rabe House in Nanjing, the former residence where John Rabe lived during the massacre, has been preserved as a memorial and museum. Thomas Rabe's continued engagement with Chinese institutions and his willingness to participate in commemorative activities have helped sustain the memory of these events for new generations of Chinese citizens.

Thomas Rabe's engagement with German-Chinese understanding, rooted in his family history, has served as a model for how individuals can use personal narratives to advance cross-cultural dialogue. His work in this area, alongside his academic contributions to medicine, reflects a life shaped by both professional dedication and a sense of historical responsibility.