Edward Janczewski
Encyclopedia
Edward Janczewski (b. December 14, 1846 in Blinstrubiszkach, Samogitia
, d. July 17, 1918 in Kraków
) was a Polish
biologist
(taxonomist, anatomist, and morphologist), rector of the Jagiellonian University
, and member of the Academy of Learning
. He married Jadwiga Szetkiewicz (1856–1941).
In 1862, Janczewski obtained a degree at Vilna (Wilno). Afterwards, he studied natural sciencies in the Jagiellonian University
, and in Saint Petersburg
. He became a professor of plant anatomy and physiology in 1875 at the Jagiellonian University
, wherein he was rector from 1902 to 1903, and worked there until 1913.
In 1876, Janczewski entered to the Academy of Learning
, of which he became an active member in 1885. Janczewski was also member of other international scientific societies, among them: The National Academic Society of Cherbourg (“Societé Nationale Académique de Cherbourg”), the Edinburgh Botanical Society, and the rench Académie des sciences.
His works included the discovery of how plant roots grow and initial genetic research in the area of plants. He also researched algae and mushrooms. Probably, one of his most important works was Monographie des Groseilliers (Geneve, 1907), which contains the results of his work on genus Ribes
. In that monograph, Edward Janczewski described 133 species and 21 hybrids of currants and gooseberries, according to him, approximately half of world's taxa. Many species were first described by him. This monograph is still one of the most important publications regarding taxonomy of genus Ribes
.
In the Botanic Garden of Cracow, Janczewski maintained a vast collection of different species of Ribes from all around the world. The herbarium includes species from Europe, Asia, North and South America, many of them collected by Janczewski himself. Others were obtained thanks to his worldwide contacts with herbariums, botanic gardens and scientists, such as the Mexican naturalist Fernando Altamirano
.
In recognition of his work, Edward Janczewski was awarded the Prix de Candolle (a Swiss award). In addition, at least, one genus and seven species of plants were named after him.
Samogitia
Samogitia is one of the five ethnographic regions of Lithuania. It is located in northwestern Lithuania. Its largest city is Šiauliai/Šiaulē. The region has a long and distinct cultural history, reflected in the existence of the Samogitian dialect...
, d. July 17, 1918 in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
) was a Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
biologist
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
(taxonomist, anatomist, and morphologist), rector of the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
, and member of the Academy of Learning
Academy of Learning
Academy of Learning was a primary Polish scientific institution during the annexation of Poland founded in 1871 in Kraków and formed as a continuation of the Kraków Scientific Society . The institiution began activity two years later, in 1873...
. He married Jadwiga Szetkiewicz (1856–1941).
In 1862, Janczewski obtained a degree at Vilna (Wilno). Afterwards, he studied natural sciencies in the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
, and in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
. He became a professor of plant anatomy and physiology in 1875 at the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
, wherein he was rector from 1902 to 1903, and worked there until 1913.
In 1876, Janczewski entered to the Academy of Learning
Academy of Learning
Academy of Learning was a primary Polish scientific institution during the annexation of Poland founded in 1871 in Kraków and formed as a continuation of the Kraków Scientific Society . The institiution began activity two years later, in 1873...
, of which he became an active member in 1885. Janczewski was also member of other international scientific societies, among them: The National Academic Society of Cherbourg (“Societé Nationale Académique de Cherbourg”), the Edinburgh Botanical Society, and the rench Académie des sciences.
His works included the discovery of how plant roots grow and initial genetic research in the area of plants. He also researched algae and mushrooms. Probably, one of his most important works was Monographie des Groseilliers (Geneve, 1907), which contains the results of his work on genus Ribes
Ribes
Ribes is a genus of about 150 species of flowering plants native throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is usually treated as the only genus in the family Grossulariaceae. Seven subgenera are recognized....
. In that monograph, Edward Janczewski described 133 species and 21 hybrids of currants and gooseberries, according to him, approximately half of world's taxa. Many species were first described by him. This monograph is still one of the most important publications regarding taxonomy of genus Ribes
Ribes
Ribes is a genus of about 150 species of flowering plants native throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is usually treated as the only genus in the family Grossulariaceae. Seven subgenera are recognized....
.
In the Botanic Garden of Cracow, Janczewski maintained a vast collection of different species of Ribes from all around the world. The herbarium includes species from Europe, Asia, North and South America, many of them collected by Janczewski himself. Others were obtained thanks to his worldwide contacts with herbariums, botanic gardens and scientists, such as the Mexican naturalist Fernando Altamirano
Fernando Altamirano
Fernando Altamirano was a Mexican physician, botanist and naturalist. He was born in Aculco, studied in Querétaro, and died in Mexico City...
.
Selected works
- Le parasitisme du Nostoc Lichenoides (1872)
- Recherches sur les Porphyria (1872)
- O rurkach sitkowych w korzeniach (1874)
- Poszukiwania nad wzrostem wierzchołkowym korzeni roślin okrytoziarnowych (1874)
- Rozwój pączka u skrzypów (1876)
- Zawilec. Anemone. Studyum morfologiczne (1892-1896 4 volumes)
- Trzy metody hodowli drzew owocowych (1896)
- Głownie zbożowe na Żmujdzi (1897)
- Species generis ribes (1905-1906 3 volumes)
- Monographie des groseilliers Ribes L. (1907)
In recognition of his work, Edward Janczewski was awarded the Prix de Candolle (a Swiss award). In addition, at least, one genus and seven species of plants were named after him.
Genus and Species named after Edward (Glinka) Janczewski
- Janczewskia (Solms-Laubach, 1877)
- Lappa janczewskii (Dybowski, 1904)
- Bromus janczewskii (Zapal, 1904)
- Poa janczewskii (Zapal, 1906)
- Ribes janczewskii (Pojarkova, 1929)
- Anemone janczewskii (Giraudias, 1891)
- Pulsatilla janczewskii (Zapal, 1908)
- Salix janczewskii (Zapal, 1908)