Jul 17 2008
Jan Evangelista Purkyne
Jan Evangelista Purkyne
Jan Evangelista Purkyne - a revolutionary scientist who played an important role in Czech national revival
Jan Evangelista Purkyne is known for identifying the unique nature of individual fingerprints. His finding played a crucial role in criminal investigations. However, it was only one of many discoveries and contributions he made in different scientific areas. Purkyne was an important figure in the Czech national revival.
In 1842 Purkyne established the world’s first ever physiological laboratory. His numerous studies of the human body using microscopes led to many innovative discoveries.JE Purkyne was the first who developed a theory of cells as the basic structure of the human organism.
He was one of the enthusiastic supporters of the Czech language and played a role in it modernization. He helped to create Czech terminology to ensure the language kept abreast of the latest scientific discoveries and developments.
Jan Purkyne was real Czech nationalist. In 1853 he began publishing important Czech science journal Ziva.
Jan Evangelista Purkyne died in 1868, leaving behind a huge scientific heritage and a growing Czech national consciousness, which he had played a major role in fostering.
In Karlsplatz park we can find a monument dedicated to Purkyne. At the monument he remains seated, as if making some scientific research right at the moment.