Dr Walter Michel Levinthal FRSE (1886–1963) was a German-born bacteriologist, working in Britain in the 20th century.
His continuing studies allowed him to avoid conscription during the First World War and in 1919 he joined the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin.
In 1922 working with Fred Neufeld, the Director of the institute, he made important advances in molecular biology.
He returned to Berlin where over and above his clinical work he drew the attention of the authorities through his involvement (with his friend Kurt Grossman) in the publication of Die Menschenrechte (1926–1932) for the German League of Human Rights.
In 1930 he received the Paul Ehrlich Prize for his work in microbiology and the discovery of Levinthal-Coles-Lillie bodies.