Johann Friedrich Blumenbach | |
|---|---|
 Johann Friedrich Blumenbach[2] | |
| Born | 11 May 1752 |
| Died | 22 January 1840 (aged 87) |
| Alma mater | University of Jena University of Göttingen |
| Known for | Comparative anatomy; scientific racism |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physiology |
| Institutions | Göttingen |
| Doctoral advisor | Christian Wilhelm Büttner[1] |
| Other academic advisors | Ernst Gottfried Baldinger Christian Gottlob Heyne |
| Doctoral students | Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link Friedrich Stromeyer Karl Theodor Ernst von Siebold |
| Author abbrev. (zoology) | Blumenbach |
Johann Friedrich Blumenbach (11 May 1752 – 22 January 1840) was a German physician, naturalist, physiologist and anthropologist. He is considered to be a main founder of zoology and anthropology as comparative, scientific disciplines.[3] He has been called the "founder of racial classifications".[4]
He was one of the first to explore the study of the human being as an aspect of natural history. His teachings in comparative anatomy were applied to his classification of human races, of which he claimed there were five, Caucasian, Mongolian, Malayan, Ethiopian, and American.[5] He was a member of what modern historians call the Göttingen school of history.
He is considered a pivotal figure in the development of physical anthropology.[4] Blumenbach's peers considered him one of the great theorists of his day, and he was a mentor or influence on many of the next generation of German biologists, including Alexander von Humboldt.[6]
- ^ Chemistry Tree profile Johann Friedrich Blumenbach
- ^ Cunningham, D. J.: "Anniversary Address." In: The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 38 (Jan. - Jun., 1908), Table III, opposite page 23.
- ^ Ilse Jahn, Rolf Löther, Konrad Senglaub (Pub.): Geschichte der Biologie. Jena 1985, p. 637.
- ^ a b Schmidt, Ryan W. (2012-01-15). "American Indian Identity and Blood Quantum in the 21st Century: A Critical Review". Journal of Anthropology. 2011: e549521. doi:10.1155/2011/549521. ISSN 2090-4045.
- ^ Gould, Stephen Jay (November 1994). "The Geometer of Race". Discover. pp. 65–69. ISSN 0274-7529.
- ^ Watson, Peter. The German Genius. New York: Harper, 2010. p. 81.