Fran Jesenko
Fran Jesenko | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 14 July 1932 | (aged 57)
Nationality | Slovene |
Alma mater | University of Vienna |
Known for | plant genetics, nature conservation efforts |
Scientific career | |
Fields | botany, plant physiology, plant genetics |
Institutions | Hochschüle für Bodenkultur University of Zagreb University of Ljubljana |
Fran Jesenko (14 March 1875 – 14 July 1932) was a Slovenian
After attending high school in
During his period in Vienna, Jesenko commenced several studies on plant hybridisation under von Tschermak's supervision, obtaining fertile hybrids between different varieties of wheat and rye with the help of
His work was interrupted by World War I, during which Jesenko was sent to the Eastern Front, where he was injured and imprisoned. After the war, he returned to his homeland to become a lecturer at the University of Zagreb (Croatia), and a full professor in 1920. In the meantime, he worked on setting up a botanical institute in Ljubljana and in 1921 became the first professor of botany at the recently established University of Ljubljana. He also continued his studies on plant hybrids and helped found a research station in Beltinci.[4]
In addition to plant genetics, Jesenko was notable as one of the proponents of Triglav National Park, the only national park in Slovenia today and one of the earliest in Europe. In 1924, the Alpine Conservation Park was founded, and Jesenko demarcated part of its borders with his students. He used to spend summers there, studying alpine flora with students and contributing to the area's permanent legal protection, which was only secured in 1981, long after Jesenko's death. He died in the summer of 1932 after a mountaineering accident on the Komarča rock face while doing his studies there. With a broken back, he was transferred to a hospital in Ljubljana, where he died on 14 July.[1][4]
The award given by the Biotechnical faculty since 1972 is named in his honor (Slovene: Jesenkovo priznanje), as are a street in Ljubljana[4] and the 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) Jesenko Trail on Rožnik hill.[5]
References
- ^ ISBN 9780792342120.
- doi:10.1038/130426a0.
- ^ "Jesenko, Fran (1875–1932)". Slovenska biografija. Research Centre of the SAZU. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
- ^ a b c d e Adamič, France (1979). "Stoletnica rojstva profesorja dr. Frana Jesenka" (PDF). Zbornik za zgodovino naravoslovja in tehnike. 4: 245–250. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
- ^ "Ljubljana: Nature". EUParky. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2015.