1834-1914

German Biologist

August Weismann, an early adherent to Darwin's theory of evolution, became famous for his studies on heredity. He denied that organisms could inherit acquired characteristics, touching off an important debate in the late nineteenth century between his own school, neo-Darwinism, and the opposing neo-Lamarckians who believed organisms could inherit acquired characteristics.

Weismann was born in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany, and attended Göttingen University to study medicine. Beginning in 1866, he taught at the University of Freiburg, where he held a position as professor of Zoology until 1912. During his tenure, he convinced the university to establish a zoological institute and museum, and served as its director. As his vision began to deteriorate, Weismann turned his attention from microscopic studies to theoretical speculation concerning evolution and the mechanisms of hereditary transmission.

In the 1880s Weismann began to publish his views on evolution and...