Johann Dzierzon

Johann Dzierzon (Polish: January Dzierżoń ) ( born January 16, 1811 in Lowkowitz (now Łowkowice ), Upper Silesia, † October 26, 1906 ) was a Silesian priest. He became known as a bee researcher; in 1857 it was called the " Silesian bees Father."

Background and education

Johann Dzierzon came from an Upper Silesian peasant family. His parents were Mary Dzierzon born Jantos (1781-1841) and Simon Dzierzon (1774-1850), son of Mary Dzierzon born Kaluza, and Johann Dzierzon (* 1750). The youngest son of his brother Joseph Dzierzon (1812-1884), Franz Dzierzon (1853-1935), was a farmer and also beekeepers in Lowkowitz, spent his last years on his estate Johann Dzierzon. The descendants of the family of his nephew Franz arrived in the flight and expulsion of German from Central and Eastern Europe from 1945 to 1950 in West Germany.

After visiting the Breslau Gymnasium, the Johann Dzierzon 1830 left as Primus Omnium, he studied Catholic theology at the Silesian Friedrich Wilhelm University in Breslau and was ordained a priest in 1834 for the diocese of Breslau.

Its position concerning its nationality to Dzierzon once like this have formulated:

" My Nationality concerning However, I am what my name suggests, a Pole by birth, as is spoken Polish Upper Silesia. But as I age of 10 came to Breslau, and there went through my studies, I am from a German education. But science knows no borders, no nationality. - Katowice 29/9 1872 - Joh. Dzierzon Dr. "

The quote was reproduced shortened in a Polish book from 1960:

" My Nationality concerning However, I am what my name suggests, a Pole ... - Katowice 29/9 1872 - Joh. Dzierżoń dr. "

His own, German -written resume from 1885 contains no such quote.

Theologian

After ordination Dzierzon Kaplan in Schalkendorf ( Siolkowice ), parish administrator in 1835 and 1838 pastor was in Karl Markt (now Karłowice ) at Brieg. After a confrontation with the Karl Untermarkter leaseholders who had accused him at his professorship in Breslau the neglect of his official duties, renounced Dzierzon 1869 to the office of parish priest and confessed in 1873 to Old Catholicism. In 1884 he returned to Lowkowitz. After discussions with the pastor Lowkowitzer Scholtyssek he reconciled himself on 6 April 1905, the Roman Catholic Church.

Bee researcher

Already during his studies Dzierzon interested in the bee life. The following chaplain and pastor of activity allowed him to operate as a practical farmer and beekeeper. He was the first beekeeper, the movable slats einbaute in his hives, which made ​​it possible to harvest honey without destroying the floor as well as the direct observation of a stick inside. So he was able to realize a higher honey yield; also he succeeded as 1835, the discovery of unisexual reproduction ( parthenogenesis ) in bees by holding the seed container of fertilized and unfertilized queens against the light and their appearance and content with the naked eye compared with each other. This discovery was confirmed microscopically in 1855 by Karl Theodor Ernst von Siebold and Rudolf Leuckart a scientific way; after long discussions with the pastor of his church, which filed the thesis of parthenogenesis ( the drones ) as heretical blasphemy, whereupon he. then the leading contemporary beekeepers, August of Berlepsch, asked for help Also, the Augustinian monk and scientist Gregor Mendel, who was also an avid bee researcher, sought scientific exchange with Dzierzon.

In the main time of his imkerischen activity Dzierzon serviced more than 400 colonies. Through lectures, exhibitions and publications Dzierzon gave its experience and established beekeepers associations and companies. His apiaries in Karl market and Lowkowitz could be visited by studious beekeepers and you could buy, according to articles in the newspaper bees, by his nephew Franz Dzierzon (1935 †).

Honors

• Dr. phil. h c. the Ludwig- Maximilians- University of Munich (1872 )
• Franz -Joseph- Orden
• Prussian Crown 4th Class
• Russian Order of St. Anne
• Wasaorden
• Bavarian Order of Merit of St. Michael
• Grand Ducal Hessian Ludwig Order
• Member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• Honorary member of the Silesian Society for patriotic Culture ( 1904)

The Graz Farmers Society awarded Dzierzon an honorary diploma, which was presented to him by Archduke Johann. 1903 Dzierzon was presented to the Austrian Emperor. His birthplace Lowkowitz (now Łowkowice ) in the district of Cross Castle OS was renamed in 1936 in tribute to his work in bees village. The town of Reichenbach in the Owl Mountains was renamed in honor of him in Dzierżoniów 1945 in Rychbach and 1946. On the occasion of his 50th death anniversary, the Polish Post Office in 1956 was issued a special stamp. An important modern award for beekeepers is the Dr. John Dzierzon Medal. On the occasion of his 60th death anniversary of his grave was added to a grave stone with a Polish inscription:

Rest in God the revered old master beekeeping pastor Dr. Johann Dzierzon Knight P.P. * January 16, 1811 † October 26, 1906 Rest in peace! Truth, truth about everything!

Tu spoczywa wielki uczony twórca nowoczesnego pszczelarstwa żarliwy patriota i obrońca polskiego ludu na Śląsku, Dr Ks January Dzierżoń Płytę ta ta ufundowało w 60 rocznice śmierci Społeczeństwo Ziemi Kluczborskiej 26 X 1966

Translation: Here lies the great scholar, the founder of modern beekeeping, ardent patriot and defender of the Polish people in Silesia,

Pastor Dr. Jan Dzierżoń

This plate was donated to the 60th anniversary of his death People of the country Kreuzburger October 26, 1966

Works

Dzierzon were several journals out:

• Nowe udoskonalenie pszczelnictwa ks. Plebana Dzierżona. Leszno in 1851 and 1859 ( translator: Lompa )
• Najnowsze pszelnictwo. Lwów in 1853 (translator: Wisocki )

List of Works

• A list of works can be found in: W. Horn and S. Schenkling, index litteraturae entomologicae, 1928/29, pp. 307-310. This volume contains the world literature over the entire Entomology until 1863. Dzierzon For up to this period ( under the continuous Nos. 89-184 ) are listed only 95 German -language publications.