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Huan MolinaChilean priest and naturalist.
Date of Birth: 24.06.1740
Country:  Chile |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Juan Ignacio Molina(June 24, 1740 – September 12, 1829) was a Chilean Jesuit priest and naturalist. He was born in Guaraculén, near Villa Alegre, in the province of Talca, Chile on June 24, 1740. His parents were Agustin Molina and Francisca González Bruna. He entered the Jesuit College in Talca at the age of 14 and later studied philosophy and theology at the University of San Felipe in Santiago.
Natural History Contributions
In 1768, Molina was ordained a priest and became a professor of mathematics and philosophy at the University of San Felipe. He began to develop an interest in natural history, and in 1772, he published his first work on the subject, Saggio sulla historia naturale del Chile. This book, which was written in Italian, provided a comprehensive account of the flora and fauna of Chile.
Exile and Later Life
In 1773, the Jesuit order was expelled from the Spanish Empire, and Molina was forced to leave Chile. He settled in Italy, where he continued his studies in natural history. In 1782, he published his most famous work, Ensayo sobre la historia natural de Chile, in Spanish. This book was a revised and expanded version of his earlier work, and it became a standard reference on the natural history of Chile.
In addition to his work on natural history, Molina also wrote several works on the history and geography of Chile. He died in Bologna, Italy, on September 12, 1829.
Legacy
Molina is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Chilean science. His work on the natural history of Chile laid the foundation for future studies, and his writings on the history and geography of the country helped to shape the national identity of Chile. In his honor, the genus of plants Moliniawas named after him.
