Gustaf Retzius
Encyclopedia
Magnus Gustaf Retzius was a Swedish
physician and anatomist who dedicated a large part of his life to researching the histology
of the sense organs and nervous system
.
, son of the anatomist Anders Retzius
(and grandson of the naturalist and chemist Anders Jahan Retzius
). He enrolled at Uppsala University
in 1860, and received his medicine kandidat degree there in 1866, transferred to the Karolinska Institute (KI), where he became medicine licentiat
in 1869 and completed his doctorate in medicine (Ph.D.) in 1871 at Lund University
. He received an extraordinary professorship in histology
at KI in 1877 and an ordinary professorship in anatomy there in 1889 (acting from 1888), but resigned in 1890 after conflicts with other members of the institute; his wealthy marriage actually allowed him to pursue his research and writing without employment.
Gustaf Retzius published more than 300 scientific works in anatomy, embryology
, eugenics
, craniometry, zoology
and botany
. He gave his name to the millimeter-long Retzius cells in the central nervous system of the leech (Hirudo medicinalis). However, there is also a darker side of his scientific career: Gustaf Retzius is one of the fathers of the pseudoscientific race theory, "scientific racism
", and one of those who tried to glorify the "Nordic race" as the highest race of mankind. He was also a journalist
and the editor of the newspaper Aftonbladet
(1884-87). Retzius was married to the feminist Anna Hierta
, daughter of Aftonbladet's founder Lars Johan Hierta
.
Gustaf Retzius was politically and socially active. Together with his wife he founded the Hierta-Retzius foundation, which is now administered by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
, which Retzius was a member of from 1879. The foundation has two funds, one for the promotion of biological research and the other for supporting projects of an important scientific or social nature. In 1901 Gustaf Retzius became a member of the Swedish Academy
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
physician and anatomist who dedicated a large part of his life to researching the histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
of the sense organs and nervous system
Nervous system
The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...
.
Biography
Retzius was born in StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, son of the anatomist Anders Retzius
Anders Retzius
Anders Retzius , was a Swedish professor of anatomy and a supervisor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm....
(and grandson of the naturalist and chemist Anders Jahan Retzius
Anders Jahan Retzius
Anders Jahan Retzius was a Swedish chemist, botanist and entomologist.-Biography:Born in Kristianstad, he matriculated at Lund University in 1758, where he graduated as a filosofie magister in 1766. He also trained as an apothecary apprentice. He reveived the position of docent of chemistry at...
). He enrolled at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
in 1860, and received his medicine kandidat degree there in 1866, transferred to the Karolinska Institute (KI), where he became medicine licentiat
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in 1869 and completed his doctorate in medicine (Ph.D.) in 1871 at Lund University
Lund University
Lund University , located in the city of Lund in the province of Scania, Sweden, is one of northern Europe's most prestigious universities and one of Scandinavia's largest institutions for education and research, frequently ranked among the world's top 100 universities...
. He received an extraordinary professorship in histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
at KI in 1877 and an ordinary professorship in anatomy there in 1889 (acting from 1888), but resigned in 1890 after conflicts with other members of the institute; his wealthy marriage actually allowed him to pursue his research and writing without employment.
Gustaf Retzius published more than 300 scientific works in anatomy, embryology
Embryology
Embryology is a science which is about the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage...
, eugenics
Eugenics
Eugenics is the "applied science or the bio-social movement which advocates the use of practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population", usually referring to human populations. The origins of the concept of eugenics began with certain interpretations of Mendelian inheritance,...
, craniometry, 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...
and 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...
. He gave his name to the millimeter-long Retzius cells in the central nervous system of the leech (Hirudo medicinalis). However, there is also a darker side of his scientific career: Gustaf Retzius is one of the fathers of the pseudoscientific race theory, "scientific racism
Scientific racism
Scientific racism is the use of scientific techniques and hypotheses to sanction the belief in racial superiority or racism.This is not the same as using scientific findings and the scientific method to investigate differences among the humans and argue that there are races...
", and one of those who tried to glorify the "Nordic race" as the highest race of mankind. He was also a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and the editor of the newspaper Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet is a Swedish tabloid founded by Lars Johan Hierta in 1830 during the modernization of Sweden. It is one of the larger daily newspapers in the Nordic countries. Aftonbladet is owned by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and Norwegian media group Schibsted, and its editorial page...
(1884-87). Retzius was married to the feminist Anna Hierta
Anna Hierta-Retzius
Anna Wilhelmina Hierta-Retzius , was a Swedish feminist and philanthropist.She was the daughter of Lars Johan Hierta, the founder of the paper Aftonbladet, and Wilhelmina Fröding and married to the scientist Gustaf Retzius, with whom she was active in social and scientific projects.She co-founded...
, daughter of Aftonbladet's founder Lars Johan Hierta
Lars Johan Hierta
Lars Johan Hierta was a Swedish newspaper publisher, social critic, businessman and politician. He is best known as the founder of the newspaper Aftonbladet in 1830. Hierta was a leading agitator for political and social reform in Sweden during the 19th century...
.
Gustaf Retzius was politically and socially active. Together with his wife he founded the Hierta-Retzius foundation, which is now administered by 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...
, which Retzius was a member of from 1879. The foundation has two funds, one for the promotion of biological research and the other for supporting projects of an important scientific or social nature. In 1901 Gustaf Retzius became a member of the Swedish Academy
Swedish Academy
The Swedish Academy , founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden.-History:The Swedish Academy was founded in 1786 by King Gustav III. Modelled after the Académie française, it has 18 members. The motto of the Academy is "Talent and Taste"...
.