Learned gardeners at the Botanic Garden of the University of Tartu (1803-1918)
2002
Meikar, T. (Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia). Forest Research Inst.)
The first attempts at the establishment of a botanical garden at the University of Tartu were made in the 17th century. Ultimately, the Botanical Garden was founded in 1803, a year after the reopening of the University of Tartu. The director of the botanical garden simultaneously held the post of botany professor. In 1833, the position of assistant director was created at the botanical garden. The direct leader and supervisor of the practical works at the botanical garden was a learned gardener. The latter was expected to have a good general education apart from professional knowledge and practical skills. Graduates from a Western European gardening school were in a preferred position, particularly those who had already worked at botanical gardens. In practice, only a few learned gardeners of the botanical garden of the University of Tartu were able to meet these requirements. Since the early 20th century, this post already presupposed higher education from a college or university. In the period under study, 17 occupied the post of the learned gardener of the University of Tartu for a prolonged time. Of these, J.A. Weinmann (learned gardener in 1805-1813) and J. Muszynski (1908-1914) secured a place in the history of science. Both have written a description of botanical garden. The former rose to scientific prominence in Russia and the latter in Poland. Three learned gardeners of the University were employed at an analogous post at the Botanical Garden of St. Petersburg either before or after their tenure in Tartu. Several learned gardeners of the University of tartu had previously worked at botanical or royal palace gardens in Russia and Western Europe. The learned gardeners of the University of Tartu have left a lasting imprint in the development of gardening Estonia, the rather that apart from the representatives of different nationalities, this post was occupied by Estonians as well
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