Olav Johan Sopp
Encyclopedia
Olav Johan Sopp was a Norwegian mycologist
. He was a pioneer of Norwegian and international mycological research. He was the first to suggest classifying fungi
as belonging to neither plantae nor animalia
, but to a third kingdom
. He also contributed to the development of the Norwegian dairy
and brewery
industry.
as the son of tanner Johannes Bakke Olsen and Bertha Marie Omdahl. He was married to Ingeborg Marie Finckenhagen from 1889 to 1893, and to Caroline Louise Eugenie Ihlen from 1894. From the late 1880s he used the name Olav Johan-Olsen, to avoid name confusion with another person. In 1907 he changed his name to Sopp (meaning "mushroom" in Norwegian). According to his own statement he had been nicknamed "Sop-Olsen" already as a young schoolboy. His daughter was married to politician Ole Colbjørnsen
.
in 1879 Olsen studied medicine at the Royal Frederick University of Kristiania
, where he finished first part in 1882. He had developed a particular interest in mushrooms already as a younger boy. In 1883 he published a book on mushrooms, Spiselig sop, which was reissued several times until 1924. From 1882 to 1885 he worked as an assistant at the institute for pathology and anatomy. He also resided with the mycologist Oscar Brefeld
in Münster
. He graduated from the medical studies in 1888, and worked some years as a physician in Kristiania. In 1893 he delivered his doctoral thesis, Om sop paa levende jordbund. From 1887 to 1890 he managed the physiological laboratories at the brewer Ringnes
in Oslo. He also managed a factory at Toten
, which produced condensed milk
.
In 1888 he discovered a method to produce condensed milk without sugar. He designed the items required for production, and is credited for being the founder of industrial milk conservation in Norway. The product "Viking Milk" was patented and introduced by him in 1891. The factory at Toten was taken over by the Swiss company Henri Nestlé
in 1897, while Sopp continued as technical and scientific manager until he retired in 1925.
Sopp was the first to suggest classifying fungi
as belonging to neither plantae nor animalia
, but to a third kingdom
, already in his thesis Om sop paa levende jordbund from 1893, and in a subsequent article in the periodical Nyt Tidsskrift
.
He was decorated as a Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1900.
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...
. He was a pioneer of Norwegian and international mycological research. He was the first to suggest classifying fungi
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...
as belonging to neither plantae nor animalia
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
, but to a third kingdom
Kingdom (biology)
In biology, kingdom is a taxonomic rank, which is either the highest rank or in the more recent three-domain system, the rank below domain. Kingdoms are divided into smaller groups called phyla or divisions in botany...
. He also contributed to the development of the Norwegian dairy
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
and brewery
Brewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
industry.
Personal life
Sopp was born in HamarHamar
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hamar. The municipality of Hamar was separated from Vang as a town and municipality of its own in 1849...
as the son of tanner Johannes Bakke Olsen and Bertha Marie Omdahl. He was married to Ingeborg Marie Finckenhagen from 1889 to 1893, and to Caroline Louise Eugenie Ihlen from 1894. From the late 1880s he used the name Olav Johan-Olsen, to avoid name confusion with another person. In 1907 he changed his name to Sopp (meaning "mushroom" in Norwegian). According to his own statement he had been nicknamed "Sop-Olsen" already as a young schoolboy. His daughter was married to politician Ole Colbjørnsen
Ole Colbjørnsen
Ole Colbjørnsen was a Norwegian journalist, economist and politician for the Labour Party.-Early life and career:...
.
Career
After examen artiumExamen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
in 1879 Olsen studied medicine at the Royal Frederick University of Kristiania
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
, where he finished first part in 1882. He had developed a particular interest in mushrooms already as a younger boy. In 1883 he published a book on mushrooms, Spiselig sop, which was reissued several times until 1924. From 1882 to 1885 he worked as an assistant at the institute for pathology and anatomy. He also resided with the mycologist Oscar Brefeld
Julius Oscar Brefeld
Julius Oscar Brefeld , usually just Oscar Brefeld, was a German botanist and mycologist.-Biography:Brefeld was a native of Telgte. He studied pharmacy in Heidelberg and Berlin, and afterwards became an assistant to Anton de Bary at the University of Halle...
in 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...
. He graduated from the medical studies in 1888, and worked some years as a physician in Kristiania. In 1893 he delivered his doctoral thesis, Om sop paa levende jordbund. From 1887 to 1890 he managed the physiological laboratories at the brewer Ringnes
Ringnes
Ringnes is the largest brewer in Norway.-History:Ringnes AS was founded in 1876. The company's brewery in the Grünerløkka district of Oslo produced its first beer in 1877. The brewery was founded by brothers Amund and Ellef Ringnes together with financial director Axel Heiberg...
in Oslo. He also managed a factory at Toten
Toten
Toten is a traditional district in Oppland county in the eastern part of Norway. It consists of the municipalities Østre Toten, Vestre Toten, and Gjøvik.Toten was a petty kingdom in the early Viking Ages, with Halfdan Hvitbeinn as the most notable king....
, which produced condensed milk
Condensed milk
Condensed milk, also known as sweetened condensed milk, is cow's milk from which water has been removed and to which sugar has been added, yielding a very thick, sweet product which when canned can last for years without refrigeration if unopened. The two terms, condensed milk and sweetened...
.
In 1888 he discovered a method to produce condensed milk without sugar. He designed the items required for production, and is credited for being the founder of industrial milk conservation in Norway. The product "Viking Milk" was patented and introduced by him in 1891. The factory at Toten was taken over by the Swiss company Henri Nestlé
Henri Nestlé
Henri Nestlé, born Heinrich Nestle , was a German confectioner and founder of Nestlé, the world's largest food and beverage company, as well as one of the main creators of condensed milk.-Birth:...
in 1897, while Sopp continued as technical and scientific manager until he retired in 1925.
Sopp was the first to suggest classifying fungi
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...
as belonging to neither plantae nor animalia
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
, but to a third kingdom
Kingdom (biology)
In biology, kingdom is a taxonomic rank, which is either the highest rank or in the more recent three-domain system, the rank below domain. Kingdoms are divided into smaller groups called phyla or divisions in botany...
, already in his thesis Om sop paa levende jordbund from 1893, and in a subsequent article in the periodical Nyt Tidsskrift
Nyt Tidsskrift
Nyt Tidsskrift is a former Norwegian literary, cultural and political magazine issued from 1882 to 1887, and with a second series from 1892 to 1895. The magazine had contributions from severeal of the leading intellectuals of the time, including later Nobel Literature Prize laureate Bjørnstjerne...
.
He was decorated as a Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1900.