Johann Gottfried Zinn

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Johann Gottfried Zinn
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Johann Gottfried Zinn
A Zinnia flower
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A Zinnia flower

Johann Gottfried Zinn (Schwabach, Dec 6 1727 - Göttingen, April 6, 1759) was a German anatomist and botanist member of the Berlin Academy

[edit] Biography

Considering his short life span, Johann Gottfried Zinn made a great contribution to anatomy. In his book Descriptio anatomica oculi humani, he provided the first detailed and comprehensive anatomy of the human eye.

In 1753 Johann Gottfried Zinn became director of the Botanic garden of the University of Göttingen, and in 1755, professor in the medical faculty.

In 1757 Zinn described the orchid genus Epipactis that belongs to the family Orchidaceae.

Botanist Carolus Linnaeus designated a genus of flowers in the family Asteraceae native from Mexico as Zinnia in his honour. Zinnia was introduced to Europe in 1613 [1].

He coined the anatomic terms:

[edit] Works

  • A description of the flora around Göttingen 1753.
  • Descriptio anatomica oculi humani iconibus illustrata 1765.
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