Personalities
(with reference to our Institute of Biology Graz)
Karl von Frisch (1886 to 1982)
The sensory physiologist Karl von Frisch discovered the hearing ability of fish and demonstrated the colour vision of bees and fish by means of dressage experiments. His most famous achievement was undoubtedly the unravelling of the bee dance. This form of communication is considered one of the most complicated behavioural achievements in the animal kingdom. Together with Konrad Lorenz and Nikolas Tinbergen, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1973 for his achievements.
Constantin Freiherr von Ettingshausen (1826 to 1897)
The palaeobotanist Constantin von Ettingshausen first researched the human eye, but is best known for his botanical illustrations. Ettingshausen illustrated his numerous publications with nature prints and achieved the highest level of perfection in this technique. His estate can be found in the Graz University Library.
Josef Poelt (1924 to 1995)
Josef Poelt was a globally recognised botanist, bryologist and mycologist. For decades, he shaped the development of the systematics of lichens and contributed in many ways to research into these symbioses. The results of his activities were instrumental in establishing a world-renowned comparative collection in the institute's herbarium.
