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How Purkyně Met Goethe in Weimar in 1822

Publication at First Faculty of Medicine |
2022

Abstract

Johann Wolfgang Goethe met young Jan Evangelista Purkyně in Weimar in December 1822 - just 200 years ago. Purkyně was on his way back from Berlin, where he won a contest for position of professor of physiology at the University of Breslau (nowadays Wroclaw).

The poet already knew Purkyně's dissertation, which fur-ther developed Goethe's ideas on vision and colours. Goethe welcomed the young scientist very warmly and respectfully.

Purkyně impressed the famous poet, who acknowledged him as a wonderfully gifted and thoughtful individual.