Morten Thrane Brünnich | |
|---|---|
 Painting byJens Juel, 1799 | |
| Born | 30 September 1737 |
| Died | 19 September 1827(1827-09-19) (aged 90) |
| Known for | Zoologiae fundamenta. (1771-1772) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Zoology,Ornithology |
| Institutions | Copenhagen University |
| Author abbrev. (zoology) | Brünnich |
Morten Thrane Brünnich (30 September 1737 – 19 September 1827) was aDanishzoologist andmineralogist.
Brünnich was born inCopenhagen, the son of aportraitpainter. He studiedoriental languages andtheology, but soon became interested innatural history. He contributed his observations ofinsects toErik Pontoppidan'sDanske Atlas (1763–81). After being put in charge of the natural history collection ofChristian Fleischer he became interested inornithology, and in 1764 he publishedOrnithologia Borealis, which included the details of manyScandinavianbirds, some described for the first time.
The publication ofOrnithologia Borealis was aided by his insight in the collection.[1]
Brünnich corresponded with many foreign naturalists includingLinnaeus,Peter Simon Pallas andThomas Pennant. He published hisEntomologia in 1764. He then embarked on a long tour ofEurope, spending time studying thefish of theMediterranean Sea and publishing hisIchthyologia Massiliensis on the subject in 1768.
On his return Brünnich took up the post of Lecturer in Natural History and Economy atCopenhagen University. Here he established a natural history museum and wrote a textbook for his students, theZoologiae fundamenta.
Brünnich's guillemot and theEuropean wasp spider are named after him.
Also in 1927, botanists Hutch. & Dalziel publishedAfrobrunnichia, which is agenus ofplants in the familyPolygonaceae with twospecies inWest Africa. It was named in Morten Thrane Brünnich's honour.[2]
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