Erik Viborg
Encyclopedia
Erik Nissen Viborg was a Danish veterinarian
and botanist.
Viborg studied veterinary science by P.C. Abildgaard at the Vetarinary School in Copenhagen
and soon became the professor’s assistant (in 1783).
From 1784 to 1787, Viborg travelled in Europe
. After his return, he won a prize from the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters
for his thesis about the ‘sand plants’ (mainly Marram grass
) and their use as sand-binders in protection of agricultural lands from aeolian sand. He was then appointed teacher (with the title of professor) at the Vetarinary School (1787 - 1790). In 1796, the king sent Viborg to Poland
and Romania
to purchase stallions
for the Frederiksborg
stud farm. When the chair of botany
was installed in 1797 at the University of Copenhagen
, Viborg became its first holder, surpassing Martin Vahl
. This was probably achieved more through ties to the upper circles than through scientific merit. After the death of Abildgaard in 1801, Viborg became professor and rector
of the Vetarinary School –a position he held to his death. In 1816, he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
.
The legume
genus Wiborgia
Thunb.
was named for him.
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
and botanist.
Viborg studied veterinary science by P.C. Abildgaard at the Vetarinary School in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
and soon became the professor’s assistant (in 1783).
From 1784 to 1787, Viborg travelled in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. After his return, he won a prize from the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters
Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters
Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters is a Danish non-governmental science Academy, founded 13 November 1742 by permission of the King Christian VI, as a historical Collegium Antiquitatum...
for his thesis about the ‘sand plants’ (mainly Marram grass
Marram grass
Ammophila is a genus consisting of two or three very similar species of grasses; common names for these grasses include Marram Grass, Bent Grass, and Beachgrass...
) and their use as sand-binders in protection of agricultural lands from aeolian sand. He was then appointed teacher (with the title of professor) at the Vetarinary School (1787 - 1790). In 1796, the king sent Viborg to Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
to purchase stallions
Stallion (horse)
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded .Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to...
for the Frederiksborg
Frederiksborg
Frederiksborg is a Danish placename that can refer to:* Frederiksborg Palace* Frederiksborg County* Frederiksborg horse...
stud farm. When the chair of botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
was installed in 1797 at the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
, Viborg became its first holder, surpassing Martin Vahl
Martin Vahl
Martin Henrichsen Vahl was a Danish-Norwegian botanist and zoologist.He studied botany in Copenhagen and in Uppsala under Carolus Linnaeus. He edited Flora Danica fasc. XVI-XXI , Symbolæ Botanicæ I-III , Eclogæ Americanæ I-IV and Enumeratio Plantarum I-II...
. This was probably achieved more through ties to the upper circles than through scientific merit. After the death of Abildgaard in 1801, Viborg became professor and rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the Vetarinary School –a position he held to his death. In 1816, he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences or Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. The Academy is an independent, non-governmental scientific organization which acts to promote the sciences, primarily the natural sciences and mathematics.The Academy was founded on 2...
.
The legume
Fabaceae
The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. The group is the third largest land plant family, behind only the Orchidaceae and Asteraceae, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species...
genus Wiborgia
Wiborgia
Wiborgia is an African genus of the family Fabaceae. It was named for Erik Viborg by Carl Peter Thunberg.-References:Dahlgren, Rolf Studies on Wiborgia Thunb. and related species of Lebeckia Thunb. . Opera Botanica, 38, 1-83....
Thunb.
Carl Peter Thunberg
Carl Peter Thunberg aka Carl Pehr Thunberg aka Carl Per Thunberg was a Swedish naturalist and an apostle of Carl Linnaeus. He has been called "the father of South African botany" and the "Japanese Linnaeus"....
was named for him.