Felix and Minette du Bois-Reymond had five children, Emil born in 1818, two daughters Julie and Felice, and two further sons one of whom was Paul, the subject of this biography. Felix was a Pietist, a religious movement which sprung up in Germany and spread beyond that country.
Felix at Minette du Bois-Reymond nagkaroon ng limang mga bata, Emil ipinanganak sa 1818, ang dalawang anak Julie at Felice, at karagdagang dalawang anak ng isa sa kanino ay Paul, ang paksa ng buhay na ito. Felix ay isang debosyon sa diyos, ang isang relihiyon kilusan na sprung up sa Alemanya at magkalat ng lampas na bansa.