Jan Swammerdam Biography

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World of Biology on Jan Swammerdam

Jan Swammerdam was a Dutch naturalist known for making several important biological observations, particularly ones related to the categorization of insects.

Swammerdam, the son of an apothecary, was born in February 12, 1637. His father maintained a museum of curiosities as a hobby and it is likely this pastime helped shape young Jan's interest in natural history. Although he studied medicine and received a degree from Leiden, Swammerdam never became a physician. Instead he decided to pursue his interest in the natural sciences.

These interests led Swammerdam to study th life cycles and anatomies of many species of insects, particularly honeybees, mayflies, and dragonflies. He contributed to the understanding of how mayflies and dragonflies begin to grow rudimentary wings while still in the aquatic nymph stage. On a broader scale he categorized insects into four major groups, three of which are still in use today. He also demonstrated that insects bodies have structure and internal organs, a notion which was contrary to the beliefs of his time.

In addition to insects, Swammerdam also studied vertebrates and he contributed to the understanding of the way their muscular and respiratory systems operate. For example he showed that lungs of newly born mammals undergo important changes just after birth. He also demonstrated that muscles removed from a frog could be stimulated to contract. An expert microscopist, in 1658 Swammerdam documented small oval particles in frog's blood which were probably the first recorded observation of red blood cells. Through his work on humans and mammals, Swammerdam discovered valves in the lymphatic system, which today are called Swammerdam valves. He was also interested in the fertilization of eggs, embryo growth, and other aspects of sexual reproduction. In addition, he was know for developing a dye injection technique for use in cadaver dissection.

Unfortunately, Swammerdam's father was not pleased with his son's work. The elder Swammerdam had always hoped his son would become a priest, and when he eventually saw this was not going to happen he withdrew his financial support. Although the younger Swammerdam continued his work he became chronically ill, both mentally and physically. In 1673 he came under the influence of a religious zealot, Antoinette Bourignon, and got caught up in a cult-like religious controversy. He died a few years later on February 15, 1680.

Almost 60 years after his death, in 1737, Swammerdam's works were translated into Latin and published by as the Biblia Naturae (or Bible of Nature). With this publication the world began to recognize the importance of Swammerdam's biological observations.