Christian Frederik Lütken
Encyclopedia
Christian Frederik Lütken was a Danish
naturalist
, born 4 October 1827 in Sorø
, died 1901.
After a career in the Danish army until 1852, he decided to dedicate his life to natural history
and left the army at the grade of first lieutenant. From 1856-1862, he was Private docent
at the University of Copenhagen
and specialized in zoology
. He became assistant to Japetus Steenstrup
(1813–1897) at the Museum of Zoology of Copenhagen.
In 1861, he published his observations of insect
s and vertebrates in Bidrag til Kundskab om Brasiliens Padder og Krybdyr, with Johannes Theodor Reinhardt
(1816–1882). He also worked with Reinhardt
in the field of herpetology
, and named several new species of reptiles and amphibians.
He obtained a teaching post at the College of Advanced Technology in 1877, and, four years after leaving university, in 1885, he succeeded Steenstrup
as chair of zoology
. He retired in 1899 after an attack of paralysis. Hector Frederik Estrup Jungersen (1854–1917) succeeded him.
Lütken worked with insect
s and molluscs, but also on almost all living species, particularly echinoderm
s and fish. Numerous species are named after him.
He published a number of works on natural history, to great success.
He became a member of the Zoological Society of London
in 1879.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
naturalist
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
, born 4 October 1827 in Sorø
Sorø
Sorø is a town in Sorø municipality in Region Sjælland on the island of Zealand in east Denmark. The population is 7,805 . The municipal council and the regional council are located in Sorø....
, died 1901.
After a career in the Danish army until 1852, he decided to dedicate his life to natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
and left the army at the grade of first lieutenant. From 1856-1862, he was Private docent
Privatdozent
Privatdozent or Private lecturer is a title conferred in some European university systems, especially in German-speaking countries, for someone who pursues an academic career and holds all formal qualifications to become a tenured university professor...
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...
and specialized in zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
. He became assistant to Japetus Steenstrup
Japetus Steenstrup
Johannes Japetus Smith Steenstrup was a Danish zoologist, biologist, and professor.He was a professor of zoology at the University of Copenhagen...
(1813–1897) at the Museum of Zoology of Copenhagen.
In 1861, he published his observations of insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s and vertebrates in Bidrag til Kundskab om Brasiliens Padder og Krybdyr, with Johannes Theodor Reinhardt
Johannes Theodor Reinhardt
Johannes Theodor Reinhardt was a Danish zoologist and herpetologist. He was the son of Johannes Christopher Hagemann Reinhardt....
(1816–1882). He also worked with Reinhardt
Johan Reinhardt
Johannes Christopher Hagemann Reinhardt was a professor in zoology at the University of Copenhagen.Born in Rendalen parish in Norway, his father, Johannes Henrik Reinhardt, was a priest, and his mother, Johanne Elisabeth Mommesen, was from Holmestrand . He was not baptized Johannes, but adopted...
in the field of herpetology
Herpetology
Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles...
, and named several new species of reptiles and amphibians.
He obtained a teaching post at the College of Advanced Technology in 1877, and, four years after leaving university, in 1885, he succeeded Steenstrup
Japetus Steenstrup
Johannes Japetus Smith Steenstrup was a Danish zoologist, biologist, and professor.He was a professor of zoology at the University of Copenhagen...
as chair of zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
. He retired in 1899 after an attack of paralysis. Hector Frederik Estrup Jungersen (1854–1917) succeeded him.
Lütken worked with insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s and molluscs, but also on almost all living species, particularly echinoderm
Echinoderm
Echinoderms are a phylum of marine animals. Echinoderms are found at every ocean depth, from the intertidal zone to the abyssal zone....
s and fish. Numerous species are named after him.
He published a number of works on natural history, to great success.
He became a member of the Zoological Society of London
Zoological Society of London
The Zoological Society of London is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats...
in 1879.
Partial list of publications
- 1877 : Korte bidrag til nordisk Ichthyographi. I. Foreløbige Meddelelser om nordiske Ulkefiske (Cottoidei). Vidensk. Medd. Naturh. Foren. Kjøbenhavn 1876–1877 : 355–388, 72–98.
- 1898 : The ichthyological results. Danish Ingolf Expedition, II. Copenhagen : 215–254, Pl. 1–4.