Elias Magnus Fries

Infobox_Scientist
name = Elias Magnus Fries

|300px
image_width = frameless
caption = Drawn image of Elias Magnus Fries
birth_date = birth date|1794|8|15|mf=y
birth_place = Femsjö, Sweden
death_date = death date and age|1878|2|8|1794|8|15|mf=y
death_place = Uppsala, Sweden
nationality = Swedish
field = Mycology, Botany
work_institution = University of Lund (1814–1834),
Uppsala University (1834–1878)
alma_mater = University of Lund
known_for = Founder of modern fungal taxonomy
author_abbreviation_bot = Fr.

Elias Magnus Fries (August 15, 1794 – February 8, 1878) was a Swedish mycologist and botanist born at Femsjö in Småland.

Background

In 1811 he entered the University of Lund where, in 1814, he was appointed an associate professorship in botany, and in 1824, became a full professor. In 1834 he became professor borgströmianus of practical economy (from 1851 "botany and practical economy") at Uppsala University.

Fries is considered to be, after Persoon, founding father of modern mushroom taxonomy (see mycology). His taxonomy of mushrooms was influenced by German romantics (see Goethe). He utilized spore color and arrangement of the hymenophore (pores, gills, teeth etc.) as major taxonomic characteristics.

When he died, "The Times" commented: "His very numerous works, especially on fungi and lichens, give him a position as regards those groups of plants only comparable to that of Linnaeus." ("The Times", Thursday, Feb 21, 1878; pg. 6; Issue 29184; col C)

Fries was succeeded in the borgströmian professorship by John Areschoug, after whom Thore Fries, the son of Elias, held the chair.

External links

* [http://www.lysator.liu.se/runeberg/nfbh/0751.html Biography] from Nordisk familjebok (in Swedish)
* [http://www.ilmyco.gen.chicago.il.us/Authors/Fries10.html "Elias Magnus Fries"] , Authors of fungal names, "Illinois Mycological Association".
* [http://www.eliasfries.org Web site of the Decendants of Elias Fries Association]

Persondata
NAME= Fries, Elias Magnus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Mycologist, Botanist
DATE OF BIRTH= August 15, 1794
PLACE OF BIRTH= Femsjö, Sweden
DATE OF DEATH= February 8, 1878
PLACE OF DEATH= Uppsala, Sweden