Ivan Sechenov | |
|---|---|
| Иван Сеченов | |
 Portrait byIlya Repin (1889) | |
| Born | (1829-08-13)13 August 1829 Tyoply Stan,Simbirsk Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Died | 15 November 1905(1905-11-15) (aged 76) Moscow, Russian Empire |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Education | St. Petersburg Main Military Engineering School |
| Alma mater | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
| Institutions | |
Ivan Mikhaylovich Sechenov (Russian:Ива́н Миха́йлович Се́ченов; 13 August [O.S. 1 August] 1829 – 15 November [O.S. 2 November] 1905)[1] is a world-renowned medical scientist, physiologist, psychologist, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and founder of Russian physiology and psychology, he is a pioneer in the field of central nervous system inhibition in the world and is known as the "Father of Russian Physiology."
Ivan Pavlov, the famous Russian neurologist and physiologist, referred to Sechenov as the "Father of Russian physiology and scientificpsychology". Today Sechenov is more known for his contributions to medical physiology and neurology, in addition to his psychological work. Sechenov is also considered one of the originators of objective psychology,[2] through his attempts to introduce objective experimental methods to the wider field of Russian psychology.
Sechenov was born in the village of Tepli Stan, which is now known as Sechenov,Gorky Oblast.[3] He was the son of a nobleman and a peasant. Sechenov was first taught by private tutors, and had mastered both German and French at an early age.[4] By the age of 14, he was admitted to the St. Petersburg Military Engineering School.[4] After his military training, he became interested in medicine, and enrolled in Moscow University, completing his M.D. in 1856.[5] He received the best of Russian education both in basic and clinical sciences.[3] He then pursued higher medical education abroad[5] and was mentored and influenced by a wide variety of prominent European scientists of his day, includingJohannes Müller,Emil DuBois-Reymond,Hermann von Helmholtz,Carl F. W. Ludwig,Robert W. Bunsen, andHeinrich Magnus.[4] Sechenov worked as a professor at theMedical Surgery Academy in Saint Petersburg until 1870.[6]
One of Sechenov's primary interests wasneurophysiology (the structure of thebrain). He demonstrated thatbrain activity is linked toelectric currents, and developed an interest in electrophysiology. Among his discoveries was thecerebralinhibition of spinal reflexes. He also maintained thatchemical factors in the environment of thecell are of great importance.
From 1856–1862 Sechenov studied and worked in Europe in the laboratories of Müller, Emil du Bois-Reymond, Hermann von Helmholtz inBerlin,Felix Hoppe-Seyler inLeipzig, Ludwig inVienna, andClaude Bernard inParis.
Like several other Russianscientists of the period, Sechenov often came into conflict with thetsaristgovernment andconservativecolleagues, but he did notemigrate. In 1866, thecensorshipcommittee in Saint Petersburg attemptedjudicial procedures, accusing Sechenov of spreadingmaterialism and of "debasing ofChristianmorality".
Sechenov's work was foundational across many fields, includingphysiology, reflexes, neurology,animal andhumanbehaviour, andneuroscience. He also was noticed by Russian psychologists for his essays in support of an objectivist approach topsychology. Sechenov influencedPavlov, many Russian physiologists andVladimir Nikolayevich Myasishchev, when the Institute of Brain and Psychic Activity was set up in 1918.
For some he was influential toBekhterev but this may be argued as many schools in psychology and physiology date Bekhterev as a Russian scientist much earlier than Pavlov and Sechenov.
Sechenov also authored the Russian classic,Reflexes of the Brain,[8] which introducedelectrophysiology toneurophysiology atlaboratories and inmedical education.
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