Julius Oscar Brefeld
Encyclopedia
Julius Oscar Brefeld usually just Oscar Brefeld, was a German botanist and mycologist.
. He studied pharmacy
in Heidelberg
and Berlin
, and afterwards became an assistant to Anton de Bary
at the University of Halle. In 1878 he came a lecturer of botany at the Forestry Academy at Eberswalde
, and in 1882 was a professor of botany at the University of Münster
, as well as manager of its botanical gardens. In 1898 he succeeded Ferdinand Cohn
as professor at the University of Breslau. In 1898 Brefeld was stricken by glaucoma
, and subsequently became totally blind. His eye problems caused him to retire from the university in 1909.
Brefeld was a prolific author of works in the field of mycology
, and is remembered for his writings about the heteroecious
nature of fungal
rusts
and smuts
. He pioneered culture techniques in the growth of fungi, and is credited with providing nomenclature for several genera and species of fungi.
Originally a scientific supporter of Anton de Bary
, Brefeld had later disagreements with the famed botanist concerning the sexual nature of fungi. The mycological genus Brefeldia from the family Stemonitaceae is named after him.
Biography
Brefeld was a native of TelgteTelgte
Telgte is a town in the Warendorf district, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the river Ems, 10 km east of Münster, and 15 km west of Warendorf.-History:...
. He studied pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
in Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, and afterwards became an assistant to Anton de Bary
Anton de Bary
Heinrich Anton de Bary was a German surgeon, botanist, microbiologist, and mycologist ....
at the University of Halle. In 1878 he came a lecturer of botany at the Forestry Academy at Eberswalde
Eberswalde
Eberswalde is a major town and the administrative seat of the district Barnim in the German Federal State of Brandenburg, about 50 km northeast of Berlin. Population 42144 , geographical location . The town is often called Waldstadt , because of the large forests around it, including the...
, and in 1882 was a professor of botany at the University of Münster
University of Münster
The University of Münster is a public university located in the city of Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. The WWU is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, a society of Germany's leading research universities...
, as well as manager of its botanical gardens. In 1898 he succeeded Ferdinand Cohn
Ferdinand Cohn
Ferdinand Julius Cohn was a German biologist.Cohn was born in Breslau in the Prussian Province of Silesia. At the age of 10 he suffered hearing impairment. He received a degree in botany in 1847 at the age of nineteen at the University of Berlin. He was a teacher and researcher at University of...
as professor at the University of Breslau. In 1898 Brefeld was stricken by glaucoma
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
, and subsequently became totally blind. His eye problems caused him to retire from the university in 1909.
Brefeld was a prolific author of works in the field of mycology
Mycology
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicinals , food and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or...
, and is remembered for his writings about the heteroecious
Heteroecious
A heteroecious parasite is one that requires at least two hosts. The primary host is the host in which the parasite spends its adult life; the other is the secondary host. Both the primary host and an unrelated alternate host are required for the parasite to complete its life cycle...
nature of fungal
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
rusts
Rust (fungus)
Rusts are plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi of the order Pucciniales. About 7800 species are known. Rusts can affect a variety of plants; leaves, stems, fruits and seeds. Rust is most commonly seen as coloured powder, composed off tiny aeciospores which land on vegetation producing...
and smuts
Smut (fungus)
The smuts are multicellular fungi, that are characterized by their large numbers of teliospores. The smuts get their name from a Germanic word for dirt because of their dark, thick-walled and dust-like teliospores. They are mostly Ustilaginomycetes and can cause plant disease...
. He pioneered culture techniques in the growth of fungi, and is credited with providing nomenclature for several genera and species of fungi.
Originally a scientific supporter of Anton de Bary
Anton de Bary
Heinrich Anton de Bary was a German surgeon, botanist, microbiologist, and mycologist ....
, Brefeld had later disagreements with the famed botanist concerning the sexual nature of fungi. The mycological genus Brefeldia from the family Stemonitaceae is named after him.
Selected writings
- (1872 - 1881) Botanische Untersuchungen über Schimmelpilze (Botanical investigations into molds)
- (1874) Botanische Untersuchungen über Schimmelpilze: Die Entwicklungsgeschichte von Penicillium; (Botanical studies on mold: The History of Penicillium)
- (1877) Botanische Untersuchungen über Schimmelpilze: Basidiomyceten, (Botanical studies on mold: Basidiomycetes)
- (1881) Botanische Untersuchungen über Hefenpilze: Die Brandpilze, (Botanical studies of yeast fungi: the rusts)
- (1883) Botanische Untersuchungen über Hefenpilze. (Botanical studies of yeast fungi).
- (1884 - 1912) Untersuchungen aus dem Gesammtgebiete der Mykologie (Examinations from the field of mycology) - 15 volumes.
- (1888) Untersuchungen aus dem Gesammtgebiete der Mykologie: Basidiomyceten II: Protobasidiomyceten Studies (Research of the field of mycology: Basidiomycetes II: Protobasidiomycetes).
- (1889) Untersuchungen aus dem Gesammtgebiete der Mykologie: Basidiomyceten III: Autobasidiomyceten und die Begründung des natürlichen Systemes der Pilze - (Studies from the field of mycology: Basidiomycetes III: Autobasidiomycetes and the foundation of a natural taxonomic system of the mushroom).
- (1895) Untersuchungen aus dem Gesammtgebiete der Mykologie: Hemibasidii: Brnadpilze III (Studies from the field of mycology: Hemibasidii: - Rusts III).
- (1895) Untersuchungen aus dem Gesammtgebiete der Mykologie: Die Brandpilze II (Studies from the field of mycology: The Rusts II).
- (1905) Untersuchungen aus dem Gesammtgebiete der Mykologie: Brandpilze (Hemibasidii) IV (Studies from the field of mycology: The Rusts (Hemibasidii IV).
- (1912) Untersuchungen aus dem Gesammtgebiete der Mykologie: Die Brandpilze V (Studies from the field of mycology: The Rusts V).