Nicholas Fischer

* Prešov, December 18, 1855 – † Igló, September 24, 1930 / mathematics and physics teacher, High Tatras researcher; ; He graduated from high school in his hometown in 1875 and took the teaching exam in mathematics and physics at the University of Budapest in 1879. Between 1880 and 1922, he was a teacher at the Evangelical Gymnasium in Igló, and from 1888 he was its director. He was an active participant in the public life of the city, and between 1891 and 1920 he also served as the president of the Hungarian Carpathian Association. He contributed significantly not only to the operation of the Association, but also to the revival of tourism in the Tatras and Spiš. He was the initiator of the construction of Tatra mountain shelters (e.g. Silesian House) and roads, he contributed to the scientific study of the region, its topographic survey and with his numerous writings he popularized the High Tatras abroad. He often hiked in the Tatra Mountains with his students and on such occasions the paths were improved and tourist signs were placed. He also played a role in the founding of the Carpathian Museum in Poprad, especially in the creation of its library. In 1896, at his suggestion, the highest peak of the country (today: Gerlachfalvi Peak) was named after Franz Joseph I.