Publisher Summary

This chapter provides an over overview of Mendel as a man. Mendel’s work, and the theory constructed to explain the results he obtained, changed the basic aspects of practically every science that has been developed in response to the display of man’s curiosity and in order that his expanding needs might be satisfied. The discovery of this magnitude seems to be the outcome of the interplay of exceptional intellectual ability on the one hand and the conditions and circumstances of the time and place on the other, these being such as to encourage the exercise of this ability in particular ways. Mendel differed from the rest of the hybridizers in that he was a competent mathematician. Though the significance of Mendel’s experimental work was not recognized by the scientific world during his own lifetime, it seems that Mendel himself had formed a true idea of its quality; it is reported that he had remarked that sooner or later its importance would be appreciated.

Praiseworthy Imperial and Royal Examination Commission, In accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Public Worship and Education, the respectfully undersigned submits a brief outline of his life-history.

He was born in the year 1822, in Heinzendorf in Austrian Silesia, where his father was the owner of a small farm. After he had received elementary instruction in the local village school and later at the upper elementary school in Leipnik, he was admitted in the year 1834 to the Imperial Royal Gymnasium (a high school) in Troppau. Four years later, as a consequence of a series of disasters, his parents found themselves unable to meet the expenses incurred by the continuation of his studies and it therefore happened that the respectfully undersigned, then only sixteen years old, found himself in the sad position of having to fend for himself. He therefore attended the course of instruction for those intending to be school or private teachers offered by the District Teachers Seminary in Troppau. As he was highly commended in the report of the examination, he succeeded by private tutoring in earning a scanty living during the period of his further study.

When he graduated from the Gymnasium in 1840 he sought the means whereby he might continue his education. He made repeated attempts in Olmütz to earn a living as a private tutor, but all his efforts were fruitless for the reason that he had no influential friends to recommend him. He became so distressed by continued disappointment and so anxious about his future that he fell ill, and was obliged to spend a year in his parents’ home convalescing.

At the end of this time the respectfully undersigned fortunately found it possible to earn enough by private teaching to satisfy his most pressing needs. He was therefore able to continue his studies in Olmütz. Overcoming exceedingly great difficulties he managed to complete the required two years of philosophical studies. The respectfully undersigned had come to realize that it was quite impossible for him to endure such exertions any further. He felt himself compelled to seek some position that would free him from the bitter struggle for existence. His circumstances determined his choice of a vocation. He requested and received in 1843 admission to the Augustinian Monastery of St. Thomas in Alt-brünn.

As a consequence of this, his material circumstances underwent a complete change. Now that he enjoyed a modicum of physical comfort, a condition beneficial to any kind of study, the respectfully undersigned regained his courage and his strength, and was therefore able to study the classical subjects prescribed for the year of probation with diligence and enjoyment. In his spare hours he busied himself with the small botanical-mineralogical collection that was placed at his disposal in the monastery. His special interest in natural science deepened as the opportunities to become better acquainted with it expanded. Despite the lack of any formal instruction, and despite the fact that self-instruction is perhaps more difficult in this branch of science than in any other, he became engrossed in the study of Nature and made every effort to make good the defects of this method of learning. In the year 1846 he attended courses of instruction in agriculture, pomiculture and viniculture at the Philosophical Academy in Brünn.

After finishing his theological studies in 1848, the respectfully undersigned received permission from his prelate* to prepare himself for the examination leading to the degree of doctor of philosophy. In the following year he was about to present himself for this examination when he was asked to accept the position of substitute teacher in the Imperial Royal Gymnasium in Znaim, and he gladly accepted this invitation. Right from the start he made every effort to present his assigned subjects to his pupils in an easily comprehensible manner. He hopes that his endeavours were not unsuccessful. Certainly during the four years he had spent in earning a living as a private tutor he had learnt a great deal about the needs of pupils and of their variability in respect of capacity to learn.

The respectfully undersigned believes that this is a true summary of his life-history. He learnt during his early years filled with sorrow, that life is a serious affair and that a man must work. Even when he came to enjoy the comforts of a secure economic position the wish to earn his living remained alive within him. The respectfully undersigned would consider himself most fortunate if he could satisfy the praiseworthy Board of Examiners and gain the certificate he now seeks. If he is successful, he will spare no effort to carry out his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Znaim on the 17th April, 1850.

(signed) Gregor Mendel

Subst.Professor. Imp.Roy.Gym.Znaim.