Max Westenhöfer (February 9, 1871 – September 25, 1957) was a German pathologist and biologist who contributed to the development of the anatomic pathology and the reform of public health in Chile.

He was a pupil of Rudolf Virchow, German physician and Professor of Pathology at the University of Berlin, known also for his interest in public health.

His report led to protests from the conservative sector of the Chilean society, eventually causing the government to deport him from Chile.

In August 1911 there was a massive march in Santiago of Chile to protest his expulsion and make a judicial appeal to prevent it, but it did not take place until after he had left.

During World War I, he served as a military surgeon with the rank of major (Oberstabsarzt)[6] and was awarded the Iron Cross, second class.

[12] From 1923 onwards[13] he wrote several books and papers on human evolution, perhaps most fully in his 1942 book "Der Eigenweg des Menschen" (translated as "The Path Travelled by Man Alone" or "The Unique Road to Man")[14] which put forward ideas suggesting, amongst other things, that adaptation to water has played a significant part in the history of human development.

From the first marriage, to Anna Maria,[16] he had three children, Grete, who was born in Chile, and Rudolf who was educated at the German School of Santiago.