1779-1851

German Natural Scientist

Lorenz Oken, a proponent of natural science and philosophy, asserted that there are fundamental units of life, which he called "infusoria." His general ideas about the elemental structures of living organisms, though specifically incorrect, anticipated the subsequent identification of the cell and development of cell theory. He was also a founder of scientific congresses or meetings.

Born at Bohlsbach bei Offenberg, Baden, Germany, in the Black Forest, Oken was the son of a peasant farmer. He attended the Universities of Freiburg, Wurzburg, and Göttingen. With a keen mind and great observation skills, he was interested in a wide variety of fields, including optics, minerals, and even military science. In 1803, at the early age of 24, he published a book entitled Naturphilosophie, translated as Natural Philosophy, in which he developed his ideas. The publication of this book solidly identified him with the school...