Wenceslas Bojer
Encyclopedia
Wenceslas Bojer (September 23, 1795 in Řesanice, Bohemia
, now Czech Republic
– June 4, 1856 in Port Louis
, Mauritius
) was a notable naturalist
and botanist.
He was born to Simon Bojer and Barbara Staub.
As young man he was sent on expeditions to Africa and Mauritus by Franz Sieber
. In 1821 he arrived at Mauritius. In 1822 the Mauritian governor Robert Townsend Farquhar
send him to Madagascar. He was accompanied by Malagasy Prince Rafaria who studied on Mauritius and James Hastie, a Scottish corporal and British envoy for King Radama I on Madagascar
. Bojer explored the west coast of Madagascar before he arrived in Tananarive.
In 1824 Bojer was sent to Africa as an interpreter. He explored several coasts of the African continent and collected a huge amount of minerals and plants. In 1829 he was one of the co-founders of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences (SRAS) at Mauritius.
He died of paralysis
in 1856.
Many plants and animal species (especially from Madagascar and the Mascarenes) were named after Bojer, including Gongylomorphus bojerii (Bojer's skink
), Dionycha bojerii, Ploceus bojeri (Golden Palm Weaver
), Uapaca bojeri, Streptocarpus bojeri, Epilobium bojeri and many more.
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
, now Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
– June 4, 1856 in Port Louis
Port Louis
-Economy:The economy is dominated by its port, which handles Mauritius' international trade. The port was founded by the French who preferred Port Louis as the City is shielded by the Port Louis/Moka mountain range. It is the largest container handling facility in the Indian Ocean and can...
, Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
) was a notable naturalist
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
and botanist.
He was born to Simon Bojer and Barbara Staub.
As young man he was sent on expeditions to Africa and Mauritus by Franz Sieber
Franz Sieber
Franz Wilhelm Sieber , was a botanist and collector who travelled to Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa and Australia.-Early Life:Franz Sieber was born in Prague, on 30 March 1789....
. In 1821 he arrived at Mauritius. In 1822 the Mauritian governor Robert Townsend Farquhar
Robert Townsend Farquhar
Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar, 1st Baronet was an influential British merchant of the early nineteenth century who served as a colonial governor and Member of Parliament.During his lengthy service for both the East India Company and the British government,Farquhar gained a reputation as an...
send him to Madagascar. He was accompanied by Malagasy Prince Rafaria who studied on Mauritius and James Hastie, a Scottish corporal and British envoy for King Radama I on Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. Bojer explored the west coast of Madagascar before he arrived in Tananarive.
In 1824 Bojer was sent to Africa as an interpreter. He explored several coasts of the African continent and collected a huge amount of minerals and plants. In 1829 he was one of the co-founders of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences (SRAS) at Mauritius.
He died of paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
in 1856.
Many plants and animal species (especially from Madagascar and the Mascarenes) were named after Bojer, including Gongylomorphus bojerii (Bojer's skink
Bojer's Skink
The Bojer's Skink is a small skink from the Gongylomorphus genus.-Description:This species is named after Wenceslas Bojer. Its total size is about 11 cm, including a 6 cm tail...
), Dionycha bojerii, Ploceus bojeri (Golden Palm Weaver
Golden Palm Weaver
The Golden Palm Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
), Uapaca bojeri, Streptocarpus bojeri, Epilobium bojeri and many more.
External links
- Article on Wenceslas Bojer in L'Express (French)
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/150 Hortus Mauritianus :ou enumeration des plantes, exotiques et indigenes, qui croissent a l'Ile Maurice, disposees d'apres la methode naturelle by W. Bojer at the Biodiversity Heritage Library