A new study published in the scientific journal Current Biology on 22 March sheds new light on the possible causes of the death of composer Ludwig van Beethoven at the age of 56 – one of the most speculated about in classical music after that of Mozart.

Before genetic analysis became possible, biographers and medical experts combed through the composer’s letters and diaries, notes from his physicians, his autopsy report and notes taken when Beethoven’s body was exhumed for examination, first in 1863 and again in 1888.

Lead-poisoning has long been suspected. Syphilis has been mentioned. Liver disease assumed.

Ludwig van Beethoven.

Now the picture is a little clearer after researchers analysed DNA extracted from eight preserved locks of Beethoven’s hair, seven of which yielded sufficient DNA for interpretation. One of the locks did not yield enough DNA to study. Another was proved to be inauthentic. One seemed to belong to a woman of Jewish ancestry.

The remaining five were found to derive from a single male individual with ancestry and DNA damage patterns consistent with originating from Beethoven.

From those, the research team was able to examine approximately two-thirds of the genome for...