Hugo Friedrich Kufs was born in 1871 near Leipzig in Saxony, Germany, and spent his whole life in that area. He developed an early interest in neuropathology and became one of the pioneers in this field. In addition to his meticulous descriptions of adult neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, he studied familial cavernous hemangiomata, neurosyphilis, Nieman-Pick disease, cysticercosis, and the dementias. He preferred the calm and security of working in the public service and was named professor by the government in 1925. After retirement, he worked until the age of 83 at the University of Leipzig and died in 1955.