Elias Magnus Fries

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Elias Magnus Fries
Drawn image of Elias Magnus Fries
Drawn image of Elias Magnus Fries
Born August 15, 1794(1794-08-15)
Femsjö, Sweden
Died February 8, 1878 (aged 83)
Uppsala, Sweden
Nationality Swedish
Fields Mycology, Botany
Institutions University of Lund (1814–1834),
Uppsala University (1834–1878)
Alma mater University of Lund
Known for Founder of modern fungal taxonomy
Author abbreviation (botany) Fr.

Elias Magnus Fries (August 15, 1794 – February 8, 1878) was a Swedish mycologist and botanist born at Femsjö in Småland.

[edit] Background

In 1811 he entered the University of Lund where, in 1814, he was appointed an associate professorship in botany, and in 1824, became a full professor. In 1834 he became professor borgströmianus of practical economy (from 1851 "botany and practical economy") at Uppsala University.

Fries is considered to be, after Persoon, founding father of modern mushroom taxonomy (see mycology). His taxonomy of mushrooms was influenced by German romantics (see Goethe). He utilized spore color and arrangement of the hymenophore (pores, gills, teeth etc.) as major taxonomic characteristics.

When he died, The Times commented: "His very numerous works, especially on fungi and lichens, give him a position as regards those groups of plants only comparable to that of Linnaeus." (The Times, Thursday, Feb 21, 1878; pg. 6; Issue 29184; col C)

Fries was succeeded in the borgströmian professorship by John Areschoug, after whom Thore Fries, the son of Elias, held the chair.

The standard author abbreviation Fr. is used to indicate this individual as the author when citing a botanical name.[1]

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Fries, Elias Magnus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Mycologist, Botanist
DATE OF BIRTH August 15, 1794
PLACE OF BIRTH Femsjö, Sweden
DATE OF DEATH February 8, 1878
PLACE OF DEATH Uppsala, Sweden