MENDEL, Gregor Johann (the first name was taken on entrance to his order), b. 22 July, 1822, at Heinzendorf near Odrau, in Austrian Silesia; d. 6 January 1884, at the Augustinian Abbey of St. Thomas, Brunn.

 His father was a small peasant-farmer, and the pecuniary resources of the family were very meagre, as is shown by the fact that a younger sister of Mendel's voluntarily gave up a large part of her dowry in order that the plans which his family had formed for his education might be carried out. The debt was afterwards repaid, and more than repaid, by Mendel. After a period of study at the school of Leipnik, Mendel distinguished himself so much that his parents made a great effort and sent him to the gymnasium at Troppau, and subsequently, for a year, to Olmutz.

At the former place one of his teachers was an Augustinian, and, whether post or propter hoc, at the end of his period of study at the gymnasium Mendel applied to be admitted as a novice in the Abbey of St. Thomas at Brünn, commonly known as the “Königskloster”. This was in 1843, and in 1847 he was ordained priest and seems to have occupied himself in teaching until 1851, when he was sent, for a two years' course of study in mathematics, physics, and the natural sciences, to the University of Vienna. When this course terminated, in 1853, he returned to his abbey, and was appointed a teacher, principally of physics, in the Realschule. He continued in this position for fifteen years and appears to have been genuinely devoted to teaching and to have gained the reputation of being extraordinarily successful in interesting his pupils in their work. In 1868 he was obliged to relinquish his educational labours on assuming the position of abbot of his monastery, to which office he was then elected.

 When appointed to this important post, Mendel, already much engrossed with his biological experiments hoped that he might have more time for his researches than was possible in the midst of his labours at the Realschule. But this was not to be. The jurisdiction and privileges of the abbey are somewhat extensive, and its abbot must, in ordinary times, find himself with plenty of occupation. Mendel, however, in addition to the multiplicity of his duties as abbot, became involved in a lengthy controversy with the Government which absorbed his attention and embittered the last years of his life. The Government had imposed special taxes on religious houses, and these Mendel refused to pay, alleging that, as all citizens were, or should be, equal in the eye of the law, it was unjust to ask one kind of institution to pay a tax from which another kind was free. At the commencement of the struggle several other monasteries sided with him but one by one they submitted, until at last Mendel was left alone in his opposition to the tax. Great efforts were made to induce him to yield but he refused, and even allowed the goods of the abbey to be distrained upon rather than submit. In the end — though not till after Mendel's death — the obnoxious tax was repealed. The result of all this strain, as may easily be understood, was a complete cessation in Mendel's scientific work. His appointment as abbot may have been an excellent thing for the monastery, but it cannot be denied that it was a great misfortune for science. The latter years of his life were rendered unhappy, not only by constant strife with the Government, and by the racial controversies which tore that part of Austria at the time in question, but also by constant ill-health due to the chronic nephritis of which he ultimately died. The result of these various troubles was to change that sunny cheerful nature, which had secured Mendel many friends, to a somewhat morose disposition and suspicious attitude of mind. A public monument to his memory was unveiled at Brünn, 2 October 1910.

 Mendel's experiments, on which his fame rests, were commenced while he was still a novice, and carried out in the large gardens attached to his monastery. Dissatisfied with the Darwinian views, then commencing to be known, he undertook a series of experiments on peas which occupied his spare time for eight years. The results of these observations were published in the “Transactions” of the Brünn Natural History Society in 1866, and a further paper on Hieracium appeared in the same periodical in 1869. Two short papers of less importance were published during the period of study at Vienna, and this seems to complete the list of the communications which he gave to the world, with the exception of his annual meteorological records, also published by the same society. It is, however, known that he devoted himself to various lines of investigation, bestowing much labour on the heredity of bees. He collected queen bees of all attainable races, European, Egyptian, and American, and made many crosses between the various races. Unfortunately, the notes which he is known to have made on this subject have completely disappeared, and it is not impossible that he may have destroyed them himself in some of the dark hours which he was called upon to endure during the last years of his life.

The Brünn Society was not a wholly unknown organization, but its Journal was scarcely one which could be expected to give the widest publicity to a new discovery or theory. It is perhaps largely on this account that Mendel's views seemed for a third of a century to have been still-born. Bateson, however, thinks that this would not so long have delayed his recognition, but that “the cause is unquestionably to be found in that neglect of the experimental study of the problem of Species which supervened on the general acceptance of the Darwinian doctrines”, and Bateson's opinion, as that of the man who has done more than any other to make Mendel's views known, is worthy of all consideration. Whatever may have been the cause, the fact remains that Mendel's work was unrecognized until, in 1899, three men of science — de Vries in Holland, Correns in Germany, and Tschermak of Austria-almost simultaneously called attention to his publications and started the interest in his line of investigations which has steadily continued to grow and increase since that date. Mendel himself, though grievously disappointed at the neglect of his views, never lost confidence in them, and was wont to exclaim to his friends, “Meine Zeit wird schon kommen”. He was abundantly justified in his belief.

Mendel

THE Augustinian Abbot Gregor Mendel published the results of his experiments on garden peas from 1856-1863.  He kept track of seven inheritable characteristics and summarized his findings using careful and detailed mathematical analysis. His findings included the designation of certain inherited characteristics as “dominant” or “recessive”.  The significance of Mendel's findings for the developing science of genetics was not appreciated until the turn of the century.  In retrospect, it seems ironic that one of the factors that rendered his findings obscure was his detailed mathematical analysis of his data.  Although this is regarded today as an essential element of any serious, published scientific research, the majority of physicians and biologists in the nineteenth century found the mathematics of statistical analysis intimidating, if not impenetrable.  It would not be until the twentieth century that the mathematics of statistics would be a required subject for all prospective scientists.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

PRAISEWORTHY Imperial and Royal Examination Commission!

In accordance with the high regulations of the Ministry of Public Worship and Education, the respectfully undersigned submits a short sketch of his life.

      The same was (in accordance with enclosure A) born in the year 1822 in Heinzendorf in Silesia, where his father was the owner of a small farm. After he had received elementary instruction at the local village school, and later at the Piarist's College [upper elementary school] in Leipnik, he was admitted in the year 1834 to the Yirst grammatical class of the Imperial Royal Gymnasium in Troppau. Four years later, due to several successive disasters, his parents were completely unable to meet the expenses necessary to continue his studies, and it therefore happened that the respectfully undersigned, then only sixteen years old, was in the sad position of having to provide for himself entirely. For this reason, he attended the course for “School Candidates [applicants] and Private Teachers” at the district Teacher’s Seminary in Troppau. Since, following his examination, he was highly recommended in the qualification report (enclosure B), he succeeded by private tutoring during the time of his humanities studies in earning a scanty livelihood.

     When he graduated from the Gymnasium in the year 1840, his First care was to secure for himself the necessary means for the continuation of his studies. Because of this, he made repeated attempts in Olmütz, to offer his services as a private teacher, but all his efforts remained unsuccessful because of lack of friends and recommendations. The sorrow over these disappointed hopes and the anxious, sad outlook which the future offered him, affected him so powerfully at that time, that he fell sick and was compelled to spend a year with his parents to recover. In the following year the respectfully undersigned found himself finally placed in the desired position of being able to satisfy at least his most necessary wants by private teaching in Olmütz, and thus to continue his studies. By a mighty effort, he succeeded in completing the two years of philosophy (enclosures D, E, F, G). The respectfully undersigned realized that it was impossible for him to endure such exertions any further. Therefore, after having finished his philosophical studies, he felt himself compelled to step into a station of life, which would free him from the bitter struggle for existence. His circumstances decided his vocational choice. He requested and received in the year 1843 admission to the Augustinian Monastery St. Thomas in Altbrünn.

     Through this step, his material circumstances changed completely. With the comfortableness of his physical existence, so beneYicial to any kind of study, the respectfully undersigned regained his courage and strength and he studied trie classical subjects prescribed devotion. In the spare hours, he occupied himself with the small botanical mineralogical collection which was placed at his disposal in the monastery. His special liking for the Yield of natural science deepened the more he had the opportunity to become familiar with it. Despite his lack of any oral guidance in these studies, plus the fact that the autodidactic method here, as perhaps in no other science, is extremely difYicult and leads to the goal only slowly, he became so attached to the study of nature from this time on that he will not spare any effort to Yill the gaps that are still present through self instruction and the advice of experienced men. In the year 1846, he also attended courses in agriculture, pomiculture, and wine-growing at the Philosophical Academy in Brünn (enclosure, H, I, K).

     After completing the theological studies in 1848, the respectfully undersigned received permission from his prelate to prepare himself for the philosophical rigorosum [examination for the Doctor of Philosophy degree]. In the following year at the time when he was about to undergo his examination, he was asked to accept the position of a substitute teacher at the Imperial Royal Gymnasium in Znaim, and he followed this call with pleasure. From the beginning of his substitute teaching, he made all efforts to present his assigned subjects to the students in an easily comprehensible manner. He hopes his endeavor was not quite without success since, during that private tutoring to which he owed his bread for four years, he found sufficient opportunity to collect experiences regarding the possible accomplishments of the students and the different grades of their mental capacity.

     The respectfully undersigned believes to have rendered with this a short summary of his life's history. His sorrowful youth taught him early the serious aspects of life, and taught him also to work. Even while he enjoyed the fruits of a secure economic position, the wish remained alive within him to be permitted to earn his living. The respectfully undersigned would consider himself happy if he could conform with the expectations of the praiseworthy Board of Examiners and gain the fulfillment of his wish. He would certainly then shun no effort and sacrifice to comply with his duties most punctually.

Znaim, on the 17th April 1850

Gregor Mendel Subst. Professor

on the Imp. Roy. Gym. in Znaim

FROM A SERMON on EASTER

JESUS appeared to the disciples after the resurrection in various forms. He appeared to Mary Magdalene so that they might take him for a gardener. Very ingeniously these manifestation of Jesus is to our minds difficult to penetrate. (He appears) as a gardener. The gardener plants seedlings in prepared soil. The soil must exert a physical and chemical influence so that the seed of the plant can grow. Yet this is not sufficient. The warmth and light of the sun must be added, together with rain, in order that growth may result. 

The seed of supernatural life, of sanctifying grace, cleanses from sin, so preparing the soul of man, and man must seek to preserve this life by his good works. He still needs the supernatural food, the body of the Lord, which received continually, develops and brings to completion of the life. So natural and supernatural must unite to the realization of the holiness to the people. Man must contribute his minimum work of toil, and God gives the growth. Truly, the seed, the talent, the grace of God is there, and man has simply to work, take the seeds to bring them to the bankers. So that we "may have life, and abundantly"... 

Three sacraments that contribute to life, baptism, confession, communion, have been used at Easter time. (Eucharist connects completely faith and baptism, God and man incompletely) Triumph: As expected of pious Christians, the joy of victory is heard in the midst of an unjust world; victory and not disparagement, insult, persecution. With the day of the victory of Christ, Easter, the bonds are broken, death and sin laid low, and the Redeemer of mankind rises strongly the human race from night time and fetters, in blessed heights, heavenly gates!)...

Sermon on Easter

Excerpt from a sermon on Easter delivered by Mendel. The text is undated, but it was delivered in a moment after he became an abbot in 1867. The excerpt is found in Folia Mendeliana (1966), Volume 1, by Moravian Museum in Brünn. It was first made public by the Mendel-Museum.

• Mendel makes several allusions to biblical verses, including John 20:15, Matthew 25:26 and John 10:10.

Original: Jesus erschien den Jüngern nach der Auferstehung in verschiedener Gestalt. Der Maria Magdalena erschien er so, daß sie ihn für einen Gärtner halten mochte. Sehr sinnreich sind diese Erscheinungen Jesu und unser Verstand vermag sie schwer zu durchdringen. (Er erscheint) als Gärtner. Dieser pflanzt den Samen in den zubereiteten Boden. Das Erdreich muss physikalisch-chemisch Einwirkung ausüben, damit der Same aufgeht. Doch reicht das nicht hin, es muß noch Sonnenwärme und Licht hinzukommen nebst Regen, damit das Gedeihen zustandekommt. Das übernatürliche Leben in seinem Keim, der heiligmachenden Gnade wird in die von der Sünde gereinigte, also vorbereitete Seele des Menschen hineingesenkt und es muß der Mensch durch seine guten Werke dieses Leben zu erhalten suchen. Es muss noch die übernatürliche Nahrung dazukommen, der Leib des Herrn, der das Leben weiter erhält, entwickelt und zur Vollendung bringt. So muss Natur und Übernatur sich vereinigen, um das Zustandekommen der Heiligkeit des Menschen. Der Mensch muß sein Scherflein Arbeit hinzugeben, und Gott gibt das Gedeihen. Es ist wahr, den Samen, das Talent, die Gnade gibt der liebe Gott, und der Mensch hat bloß die Arbeit, den Samen aufzunehmen, das Geld zu Wechslern zu tragen. Damit wir »das Leben haben und im Überflusse haben.

Three sacraments that contribute to life, baptism, confession, communion, have been used at Easter time. (Eucharist connects completely faith and baptism, God and man incompletely) Triumph: As expected of pious Christians, the joy of victory is heard in the midst of an unjust world; victory and not disparagement, insult, persecution. With the day of the victory of Christ, the Easter, the bonds are broken, the death and sin laid (?), and the Redeemer of mankind rises strongly the human race from night time and fetters, in blessed heights, heavenly gates!).
Excerpt from a sermon on Easter delivered by Mendel, found in Folia Mendeliana (1966), Volume 6, Moravian Museum in Brünn.
Original: Drei Sakramente, die das Leben spenden: Taufe, Beichte, Kommunion sind zur Osterzeit eingesetzt worden. (Eucharistie verbindet vollkommen, Glaube und Taufe unvollkommen dem Gottmenschen). Sieg: Wie mutet es einen frommen Christen an, mitten in der ungerechten Welt von Sieg zu hören, und nicht wieder Hintansetzung, Beschimpfung, Verfolgung; auch Siegesfreude. Mit dem Siegestag Christi, mit dem Ostertag, sind die Bande zerrissen, die der Tod und die Sünde aufgelegt ( ? ), und stark erhebt sich das Menschengeschlecht mit seinem Erlöser aus Nachtzeit und Fesseln in weite selige Höhen, himmlische Gefilde!).

Jesus let the infidels and Jews aside, he appeared only to the chosen apostles, he was concerned only with the faithful believers. To these he taught, rebuked, and sanctified, in order to perfect them to perfect the saints. This not only made sin and death be taken away from us, but by the resurrection of the Son of God grace was also obtained.
Excerpt from a sermon on Easter delivered by Mendel, found in Folia Mendeliana (1966), Volume 6, Moravian Museum in Brünn
Original: Jesus ließ die Ungläubigen und Juden beiseite, er erschien nur den auserwählten Aposteln, er befaßte sich nur mit den treuen Gläubigen. Diese belehrte er, tadelte er und heiligte er, um sie zu vervollkommnen zu vollendeten Heiligen. i Nicht bloss Sünde und Tod ist von uns genommen, sondern durch die Auferstehung des Gottessohnes ist auch seine Gnade gewonnen.

The victory of Christ gained us the kingdom of grace, the kingdom of heaven. Easter is the sky banner flag, the flag of eternity, the victory blowing over the gates of the Holy City of Jerusalem.
Excerpt from a sermon on Easter delivered by Mendel, found in Folia Mendeliana (1966), Volume 1-6, Moravian Museum in Brünn.
Original: Der Sieg Christi hat uns das Reich der Gnade gewonnen, das Himmelreich. Osterfahne wird zur Himmelsfahne, zur Flagge der Ewigkeit, die siegreich weht über den Toren der Heiligen Stadt Jerusalem

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