 |
Lazaro SpallanzaniItalian naturalist and physicist
Date of Birth: 10.01.1729
Country:  Italy |
Content:
Biography of Lazzaro Spallanzani
Lazzaro Spallanzani, an Italian naturalist and physicist, was born in the city of Scandiano, Italy in 1729. Although his father, an attorney, had hoped for him to become a lawyer, Spallanzani's childhood fascination with the mysteries of nature led him to pursue the study of natural sciences. He received his education at a Jesuit college and later began studying law at the University of Bologna, but quickly abandoned his legal studies to fully immerse himself in the natural sciences.
At the age of 25, Spallanzani became a professor of logic, metaphysics, and Greek language at the University of Reggio, where he also wrote his first scientific work. In 1762, he was ordained as a priest and later transferred to Modena, where he continued his teaching career. However, Spallanzani's leisure time was still dedicated to his passion for natural history.
Spallanzani declined several prestigious job offers from major universities, choosing instead to become a professor of natural history at the University of Pavia. He also became the director of the university's museum, significantly enriching its collection through numerous expeditions along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. In June 1768, Spallanzani was elected as a member of the Royal Society, and in 1775, he became a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
During this period, the hypothesis of spontaneous generation of microorganisms was widely accepted. Despite its lack of evidence, many ancient, medieval, and later thinkers leaned towards this idea. Spallanzani delved into the study of the hidden world of microorganisms and, based on his experiments, concluded that life could only arise from pre-existing life. He was able to prove that microorganisms only appeared to arise spontaneously, while in reality, their generation occurred due to the introduction of embryonic cells into the environment. His groundbreaking discovery was made possible through his development of a method for creating pure laboratory cultures and isolating a single species from a larger population.
Spallanzani was the first to observe the process of bacterial division, which is their mode of reproduction. He also conducted extensive research on the properties of human gastric juices, swallowing pouches containing food samples with attached strings to demonstrate the digestive abilities of the stomach. His studies on digestion made a significant contribution to our understanding of the human digestive process.
Additionally, Spallanzani explored the circulation of blood and made notable discoveries in the field of echolocation in bats. He enjoyed the respect and admiration of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.
