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Konrad Gessner, Swiss naturalist
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Konrad Gessner, Swiss naturalist
Konrad Gessner (1516-1565), Swiss naturalist. Gessner was born in Zurich, the son of a furrier. After the death of his father, Gessner was able to continue his education due to the kindness of family friends. He studied at several universities across Switzerland and France. He finally settled back at Zurich as professor of physics at the Carolinum. His major work was a vast study on zoology - the Historiae animalium - published in four volumes in 1551-58 with a fifth volume published posthumously in 1587. This comprehensive survey of the animal kingdom is viewed as the starting point for modern zoology. Gessner was the first to describe the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) in Europe, ironically the animal implicated in spreading the plague, of which Gessner died. This engraving comes from Bezes Les vrais pourtraits des hommes illustres published at Geneva in 1581
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Media ID 6295613
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1500s 16th Century Botanist Brown Rat Rattus Norvegicus Vertical Zoologist Bibliographer Conrad Gesner Mono Chrome Plague Victim
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Konrad Gessner, a renowned Swiss naturalist whose contributions to the field of zoology are still revered today. Born in Zurich in 1516, Gessner's passion for nature was nurtured through his extensive education at various universities across Switzerland and France. Despite facing adversity after the death of his father, Gessner persevered with the support of generous family friends. Returning to Zurich as a professor of physics at the Carolinum, Gessner dedicated himself to studying and documenting the animal kingdom. His magnum opus, Historiae animalium, published between 1551 and 1587 in five volumes, is considered a pivotal work that laid the foundation for modern zoology. Notably, he was also responsible for being the first to describe Europe's brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), which ironically played a role in spreading the plague that ultimately claimed his own life. The engraving featured here originates from Bezes Les vrais pourtraits des hommes illustres published in Geneva in 1581. It captures Gessner's profound dedication and expertise as both a botanist and zoologist during the vibrant era of scientific discovery in the sixteenth century. This monochrome portrait serves as an enduring tribute to this remarkable figure who made significant contributions despite facing personal hardships.
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