Osip Dymov
Osip Dymov (Russian: Осип Дымов) is the central fictional character in the classic story "The Grasshopper" (1892) by Anton Chekhov. For generations his character has served to inspire medical professionals as to the standards of dedication expected from them.
Dymov is an unassuming doctor married to a beautiful, wealthy socialite. Her reasons for being attracted to him are suspect, and their marriage is soon on the rocks because of her preference for the "fast life" and his total dedication to his profession. He senses that she is having an affair, but displays an admirable magnanimity towards her.
She soon tires of her companions when she learns of their vacuous nature (and her lover's infidelity) and realises how great her husband was, which she took for granted. She tries desperately to return to him but by that time it is too late – in order to save a diphtheria patient, Dymov had swallowed membrane from his patient's throat and died from the infection.