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Jan Ingenhousz

Jan Ingenhousz
Born December 8, 1730
Breda
Died September 7, 1799
Calne
Residence Breda, London, Vienna, Calne
Nationality Dutch
Fields Physiology
Alma mater Catholic University of Leuven
Known for Photosynthesis
Influences Pieter van Musschenbroek
David Gaub

Jan Ingenhousz or Ingen-Housz FRS (December 8, 1730 – September 7, 1799) was a Dutch physiologist, biologist and chemist. He is best known for showing that light is essential to photosynthesis and thus having discovered photosynthesis[1][2]. He also discovered that plants, like animals, have cellular respiration[3]. In his lifetime he was best known for successfully inoculating the members of the Habsburg family in Vienna against smallpox in 1768 and subsequently being the private counsellor and personal physician to the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa.[4]

In 1779, Ingenhousz discovered that, in the presence of light, plants give off bubbles from their green parts while, in the shade, the bubbles eventually stop.[5] He identified the gas as oxygen. He also discovered that, in the dark, plants give off carbon dioxide. He realized as well that the amount of oxygen given off in the light is more than the amount of carbon dioxide given off in the dark. This demonstrated that some of the mass of plants comes from the air, and not only the soil.

In addition to his work in the Netherlands and Vienna, Igenhousz spent time in France, England, Scotland, and Switzerland, among other places. He carried out research in electricity, heat conduction, and chemistry, and met both Benjamin Franklin and Henry Cavendish.[6] In 1785, he described the irregular movement of coal dust on the surface of alcohol and therefore has a claim as discoverer of what came to be known as Brownian motion. Ingenhousz was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1779.

In 1799, Ingenhousz died in, and was buried at, Calne, England. His wife died the following year.[7]

References

  1. ^ Howard Gest, Bicentenary homage to Dr Jan Ingen-Housz,MD (1730–1799), pioneer of photosynthesis research, Photosynthesis Research 63: 183–190, 2000.
  2. ^ Geerd Magiels, Dr. Jan Ingenhousz, or why don't we know who discovered photsynthesis, 1st Conference of the European Philosophy of Science Association 2007
  3. ^ Howard Gest, A ‘misplaced chapter’ in the history of photosynthesis research; the second publication (1796) on plant processes by Dr Jan Ingen-Housz,MD, discoverer of photosynthesis. A bicentenniel ‘resurrection’., Photosynthesis Research 53: 65–72, 1997.
  4. ^ Housz JM, Beale N, Beale E. The life of Dr Jan Ingen Housz (1730-99), private counsellor and personal physician to Emperor Joseph II of Austria.", J Med Biogr. 2005 (1):15-21.
  5. ^ Jan Ingenhousz, Experiments upon Vegetables, Discovering Their great Power of purifying the Common Air in the Sun-shine, and of Injuring it in the Shade and at Night. To Which is Joined, A new Method of examining the accurate Degree of Salubrity of the Atmosphere, London, 1779. From Henry Marshall Leicester and Herbert S. Klickstein, A Source Book in Chemistry 1400-1900, New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 1952. Excerpts Accessed 2008-06-24.
  6. ^ Smith, Edgar F. (1926). "Forgotten Chemists". Journal of Chemical Education 3: 29 – 40. doi:10.1021/ed003p29 (inactive 2010-01-11). http://www.jce.divched.org/Journal/Issues/1926/Jan/index.html.  
  7. ^ * Van Klooster, H. S. (1952). "Jan Ingenhousz". Journal of Chemical Education 29: 353 – 355. doi:10.1021/ed029p353 (inactive 2010-01-11). http://www.jce.divched.org/Journal/Issues/1952/Jul/index.html.  

Further reading

  • Beaudreau, Sherry Ann; Finger Stanley (2006). "Medical electricity and madness in the 18th century: the legacies of Benjamin Franklin and Jan Ingenhousz". Perspect. Biol. Med. (United States) 49 (3): 330–45. doi:10.1353/pbm.2006.0036. ISSN 0031-5982. PMID 16960304.  
  • Smit, P. (1980). "Jan Ingen-Housz (1730-1799): some new evidence about his life and work". Janus; revue internationale de l'histoire des sciences, de la médecine, de la pharmacie, et de la technique (Netherlands) 67 (1-2-3): 125–39. ISSN 0021-4264. PMID 11610754.  

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