George Purkircher

* Bratislava, 1530/35 k. – † Bratislava, 24 October 1577 / physician, botanist, Latin poet ; ; He began his studies in Bártfán, at the Evangelical Lyceum, where the prefect was Lénárd Stöckel, a student of Luther and Melanchthon (1497–1560), who made the institution famous in Europe. It was probably at his urging that Purkircher went to Wittenberg, where Melanchthon taught at the university for 42 years. Melanchthon followed the fate of Hungary with sincere interest and gladly embraced students coming from there. When he died, Purkircher bid him farewell in an eclogue. At this time, Péter Melius Juhász (1532–1572), the later Reformed bishop, who also dealt with botany, studied here. Purkircher continued his medical studies in Padua, and at the same time he delved into botany. At this time, two other compatriots were also in the Italian city: János Zsámboky (Nagyszombat) and the Flemish-born canon Nicasius Ellebodius (1535–1577), who later settled in Bratislava and practiced as a doctor. Protestants could also obtain the title of doctor at the University of Padua, only their inauguration took place under different circumstances. György Purkircher received his doctorate in medicine in December 1563. His journey led him to his homeland with a detour in Paris. ; In France, he tried to increase his botanical knowledge and it was then that he met one of the most significant botanists of the time, the Walloon Charles de L’ Écluse, who is best known as Carolus Clusius (1526–1609). Later, the French scientist visited Purkircher in Bratislava several times while visiting Hungary, and a friendship developed between them. Purkircher settled in the coronation city in 1564, where he and some humanist intellectuals established a scholarly society. Its leader was István Radéczy (?–1586), bishop of Eger, and in addition to Purkircher, János Zsámboky, who was already living in Vienna at the time, also became a member. Zsámboky was also a member of a humanist circle in the imperial city, and the Bratislava one was a kind of branch of the Viennese one. The most important part of György Purkircher's activity was his work in medical botany. He researched new plant species that were previously unknown in the surrounding mountains, and he set up a medical garden (hortus medicinalis botanicus) next to his house, where he mainly grew medicinal herbs. ; Clusius also spoke highly of the garden, and even named a bean variety after his friend: Phaseolus maior varius, sive Purkircherianus. After settling down, Purkircher carried out a very versatile activity. He treated his regular patients: the grape workers and winemakers of Bratislava, and then, by order of the emperor, he became the court physician to the interned Prince John Frederick II of Saxe-Gotha. In addition, he was responsible for the chamber officers, royal captains and the castle guard. Despite his busy schedule, he always had time for botanizing, collecting minerals and developing the botanical garden. He often accompanied foreign scientific visitors to the surrounding mountains and drew their attention to the more interesting plant species. He also wrote Latin poems and with these he earned the emperor an annual favor of one hundred forints. However, due to the financial problems of the treasury, it only became a one-time reward.