1516-1565

Swiss Physician, Zoologist, and Botanist

Gesner (also called "Gesnerus") was among the founders of modern zoology. He also made important contributions to botany, biology, natural history, and scientific bibliography.

Born on March 26, 1516, in Zürich, Switzerland, Gesner was the son of a poor Protestant furrier, Ursus Gesner. Because his father could not afford to care for all his children properly, Gesner was raised until 1527 by his uncle, Hans Frick, a chaplain who awakened Gesner's interest in plants and medicinal herbs, and after 1527 by Johann Jakob Ammann, a choirmaster. Gesner's father died alongside the Swiss Reformation leader Ulrich Zwingli in the Battle of Kappel on October 11, 1531, fighting against Zürich's Catholic neighbors.

At school in Zürich, the boy Gesner so impressed his teachers that they fostered his development in every way. They made it financially possible for him to continue his education. In 1533 he entered...