Samuel Gottlieb Gmelin
Samuel Gottlieb Gmelin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 4 July 1744 |
| Died | 27 July 1774(aged 30) Akhmedkent,Dagestan,Russia |
| Education | University of Leiden |
| Known for | Exploring the riversDonandVolga,and coasts of theCaspian Sea;Reise durch Russland zur untersuchung der drey natur-reiche |
| Spouse(s) | Anna von Chappuzeau, granddaughter ofJacob Chappuzeau |
| Relatives | Johann Georg Gmelin(uncle),Johann Friedrich Gmelin(cousin) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Botany |
| Institutions | University of St. Petersburg |
| Author abbrev. (botany) | S.G.Gmel. |
Samuel George Gottlieb Gmelin(4 July 1744 – 27 July 1774) was a German physician, botanist, and explorer.
Background
[edit]Gmelin was born atTübingenas part of a well-known family of naturalists. His father was Johann Conrad Gmelin, anapothecaryandsurgeon.His uncle wasJohann Georg Gmelin,who was also uncle toJohann Friedrich Gmelin(the naturalist publisher of theSystema NaturaeofCarolus Linnaeus). Samuel earned his medical degree in 1763 from theUniversity of Leidenat the young age of 18. While living in theDutch Republic,Gmelin developed a keen interest in marinealgae.In 1766 he was appointed professor ofbotanyatSt Petersburg.In the following year he was sent on an expedition to study the natural history of theRussian Empire.He explored the riversDonandVolga,and the western and eastern coasts of theCaspian Sea.Whilst travelling in theCaucasushe was taken hostage by Usmey Khan of Khaïtakes and died of ill treatment in captivity inAkhmedkent,Dagestan.He was only 30 years of age.[1]His death led toa Russian punitive expeditionwhich briefly conqueredDerbent.
Gmelin was the author ofHistoria Fucorum(1768), the first work dedicated tomarine biologydealing exclusively withalgaeand the first using thebinomial system of nomenclature.It includes elaborate illustrations ofseaweedand marine algae on folded leaves. However, algal specimens used by Gmelin in theHistoria fucorumare thought to no longer exist (Dixon & Irvine, 1970). The results of his travels were published inReise durch Russland zur untersuchung der drey natur-reiche( "Trip Through Russia To Study the Three Natural Provinces" ) (1770–1784, 4 vols.). The final volume was to be completed byGüldenstädt,but was ultimately edited byPeter Simon Pallasafter Güldenstädt's death.[2]
Biography
[edit]In 1772, he married Anna von Chappuzeau, granddaughter of the famous naval captainJacob Chappuzeau(Iakov Shapizo), hero of thebattle of Osel Islandin 1719, when he commanded theRaphail.
References
[edit]- ^Tooke, William(1799).View of the Russian Empire during the reign of Catharine the Second, and to the close of the present century. Volume 1.London: T N Longmann and O. Rees.
- ^Chantreau (1794).Philosophical, political, and literary travels in Russia, during the years 1788 & 1789. Volume 1.Perth: R. Morison, Junior. pp. 285–287.
- ^International Plant Names Index.S.G.Gmel.
