Ernst Mayr - Ornithologists, Career and Childhood
Ernst Mayr's Personal Details
Ernst Mayr was a renowned biologist who authored the pioneering book on evolutionary biology titled ‘Systematics and the Origin of Species’
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | July 5, 1904 |
| Died on | February 3, 2005 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Biologists, Ornithologists, Miscellaneous |
| Known as | Ernst Walter Mayr |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Kempten |
| Religion | Atheism |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Born in | Kempten |
| Famous as | Biologist |
| Died at Age | 100 |
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Ernst Mayr's photo
Who is Ernst Mayr?
Ernst Walter Mayr is one of 20th Century’s accomplished and pioneering biologists. Mayr was a German-born American biologist renowned for his work as a taxonomist, ornithologist, tropical explorer, and historian of science, who also studied population genetics and evolution. His work on the theory of evolution paved way for the modernised concepts in genetics and evolutionary biology which includes the works of Mendel, Darwin, and the concepts of ‘systematics’ and ‘biological species’. Mayr has been credited with writing more than 100 papers on avian taxonomy. He proposed a new definition of species that was widely accepted in scientific circles and contributed to the discovery of a large number of previously unknown species. Mayr successfully discovered and named 25 new bird species and 410 sub-species, during his lifetime. Through his book ‘Systematics and the Origin of Species’, he put forward a modification to the existing definition of species. A group of individuals with similar morphological traits were regarded as members of the same species (as stated by Charles Darwin) but Mayr suggested that members of a group that interbreed comprise a species. The information contained within the DNA of each species differs enough from other species to prevent interbreeding. In his later years, Mayr focused his efforts in modifying the philosophy of science to include biology as an essential way in understanding life. Read on to know more about his life and works.
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Childhood & Early Life
On July 5, 1904, Ernst Mayr was born in Kempten, Germany, to parents Dr. Otto Mayr and Helen Pusinelli.
Dr. Otto Mayr, by profession, was a law practitioner but he was a keen-naturalist and took his kids on visits to inculcate in them a love and understanding of their natural surroundings.
From an early age, Mayr showed interest in ornithology. The family moved to Dresden, after his father passed away when Ernst was in his early teens, where he studied at the ‘Staatsgymnasium’ (‘Royal Gymnasium’).
At high school, he was a member of the ‘Saxony Ornithologists’ Association’. At the association, he made acquaintance with Rudolf Zimmermann, the renowned ornithologist who decided to take Mayr under his tutelage.
Ernst pursued medicine at the ‘University of Greifswald’ beginning in 1923. He stated his reason for choosing Greifswald over other famed universities just because it was an interesting and rich ornithological area.
Career
In 1925, Erwin Stresemann, an ornithologist who came across Mayr’s work, suggested the latter to take up biology full-time to pursue his natural talents for ornithology.
He acquired his PhD in ornithology from the ‘University of Berlin’ in 1926, a feat he achieved when he was only 21 years old. After completing his doctorate Ernst then joined the ‘Berlin Museum’.
While at a zoological conference in 1927, he was introduced by Stresemann to Walter Rothschild. A banker by profession with a love for nature Rothschild appointed him at the helm of an expedition organised for the ‘American Museum of Natural History’.
At New Guinea, Mayr studied and catalogued bird skins, and in the process also named 38 previously unknown species of orchids. While in New Guinea, Mayr pointed out the mismatch in the facts offered by Hermann Detzner in his book, ‘Four Years among the Cannibals in German Guinea from 1914 to the Truce’.
The year 1930 marked the end of the expedition upon which he was appointed curator of ‘American Museum of Natural History’. It was here that he penned some of his most comprehensive compilations on taxonomy of birds.
In 1942 he published arguably his most significant book, ‘Systematics and the Origin of Species’, wherein he furthered the concept of evolutionary synthesis pioneered by Darwin.
Few years later Mayr joined the faculty of ‘Harvard University’, where he also served as the director of the ‘Museum of Comparative Zoology’ from 1961-1970.
After Mayr retired in 1975, he continued being the professor emeritus at ‘Harvard’. He continued to publish works on evolutionary biology, even after retirement.
Major Works
Mayr presented his ideas on evolution and species in his most significant book ‘Systematics and the Origin of Species’ in 1942. His theory was an integration and progression on the works of Gregor Mendel (genetics) and Charles Darwin (natural selection).
In his lifetime, Mayr named around 25 new bird species, 410 sub-species, and over 38 new orchid species in New Guinea itself.
Awards & Achievements
Ernst Mayr received the ‘Darwin-Wallace Medal’ in 1958 because of his work on the definition of species and his contribution in advancing Darwin and Mendel’s theories on evolution.
In 1969, the President of United States awarded this scientist extraordinaire the prestigious ‘National Medal of Science for Biological Studies’, for his contribution to the field of biology.
He received the ‘International Prize for Biology’ in 1994 for his work in advancing research on fundamental biology.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1931, Mayr moved from Germany to the United States, to join the American Museum of Natural History; while he was in America, the Nazis took over Germany. Ernst, who was grateful to be safe in New York, settled permanently in the United States.
In 1935, Mayr exchanged nuptial vows with Margarete Simon. They had two daughters and their marriage lasted more than 55 years until his wife passed away.
The erudite scientist breathed his last on February 3, 2005, at the age of 100, in Bedford, Massachusetts. He was diagnosed with cancer few weeks prior to his last days.
Harvard University established the ‘Ernst Mayr Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology’, in the honour of this erudite biologist
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Ernst Mayr's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 1994 - International Prize for Biology | |
| 0 | 1958 - Darwin–Wallace Medal | |
| 0 | 1970 - National Medal of Science for Biological Sciences | |
| 0 | 1999 - Crafoord Prize in Biosciences | |
Ernst Mayr biography timelines
- // 5th Jul 1904On July 5, 1904, Ernst Mayr was born in Kempten, Germany, to parents Dr. Otto Mayr and Helen Pusinelli.
- // 1914At New Guinea, Mayr studied and catalogued bird skins, and in the process also named 38 previously unknown species of orchids. While in New Guinea, Mayr pointed out the mismatch in the facts offered by Hermann Detzner in his book, ‘Four Years among the Cannibals in German Guinea from 1914 to the Truce’.
- // 1923Ernst pursued medicine at the ‘University of Greifswald’ beginning in 1923. He stated his reason for choosing Greifswald over other famed universities just because it was an interesting and rich ornithological area.
- // 1925In 1925, Erwin Stresemann, an ornithologist who came across Mayr’s work, suggested the latter to take up biology full-time to pursue his natural talents for ornithology.
- // 1926He acquired his PhD in ornithology from the ‘University of Berlin’ in 1926, a feat he achieved when he was only 21 years old. After completing his doctorate Ernst then joined the ‘Berlin Museum’.
- // 1927While at a zoological conference in 1927, he was introduced by Stresemann to Walter Rothschild. A banker by profession with a love for nature Rothschild appointed him at the helm of an expedition organised for the ‘American Museum of Natural History’.
- // 1930The year 1930 marked the end of the expedition upon which he was appointed curator of ‘American Museum of Natural History’. It was here that he penned some of his most comprehensive compilations on taxonomy of birds.
- // 1931In 1931, Mayr moved from Germany to the United States, to join the American Museum of Natural History; while he was in America, the Nazis took over Germany. Ernst, who was grateful to be safe in New York, settled permanently in the United States.
- // 1935In 1935, Mayr exchanged nuptial vows with Margarete Simon. They had two daughters and their marriage lasted more than 55 years until his wife passed away.
- // 1942In 1942 he published arguably his most significant book, ‘Systematics and the Origin of Species’, wherein he furthered the concept of evolutionary synthesis pioneered by Darwin.
- // 1942Mayr presented his ideas on evolution and species in his most significant book ‘Systematics and the Origin of Species’ in 1942. His theory was an integration and progression on the works of Gregor Mendel (genetics) and Charles Darwin (natural selection).
- // 1958Ernst Mayr received the ‘Darwin-Wallace Medal’ in 1958 because of his work on the definition of species and his contribution in advancing Darwin and Mendel’s theories on evolution.
- // 1961 To 1970Few years later Mayr joined the faculty of ‘Harvard University’, where he also served as the director of the ‘Museum of Comparative Zoology’ from 1961-1970.
- // 1969In 1969, the President of United States awarded this scientist extraordinaire the prestigious ‘National Medal of Science for Biological Studies’, for his contribution to the field of biology.
- // 1975After Mayr retired in 1975, he continued being the professor emeritus at ‘Harvard’. He continued to publish works on evolutionary biology, even after retirement.
- // 1994He received the ‘International Prize for Biology’ in 1994 for his work in advancing research on fundamental biology.
- // 3rd Feb 2005The erudite scientist breathed his last on February 3, 2005, at the age of 100, in Bedford, Massachusetts. He was diagnosed with cancer few weeks prior to his last days.
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Ernst Mayr's FAQ
What is Ernst Mayr birthday?
Ernst Mayr was born at 1904-07-05
When was Ernst Mayr died?
Ernst Mayr was died at 2005-02-03
Where was Ernst Mayr died?
Ernst Mayr was died in Bedford
Which age was Ernst Mayr died?
Ernst Mayr was died at age 100
Where is Ernst Mayr's birth place?
Ernst Mayr was born in Kempten
What is Ernst Mayr nationalities?
Ernst Mayr's nationalities is American
What was Ernst Mayr universities?
Ernst Mayr studied at University of Greifswald, Humboldt University of Berlin
What is Ernst Mayr's religion?
Ernst Mayr's religion is Atheism
What is Ernst Mayr's sun sign?
Ernst Mayr is Cancer
How famous is Ernst Mayr?
Ernst Mayr is famouse as Biologist