Johannes Elias Teijsmann

Johannes Elias Teijsmann

Johannes Elias Teijsmann (June 1, 1808—June 22, 1882) was a biologist botanist and plant collector. He was born in Arnhem, Netherlands. His surname is sometimes spelled Teysmann, although he himself spelled it Teijsmann.

Teijsmann travelled to Java in 1830 as gardener of Governor General Johannes van den Bosch. He was appointed the director of the 's Lands Plantentuin in Buitenzorg (now Bogor) the following year, a post he held until 1869. He took part in important botanical expeditions throughout maritime Southeast Asia. Teijsmann was also part of a Dutch fact-finding mission to Siam (presently Thailand).[1]

He is notable for the introduction of cassava plants (from the island of Bantam, near Sumatra) as a food source to alleviate famines in the then Dutch East Indies.[2] Together with his collaborator Justus Carl Hasskarl, they introduced the cultivation of Cinchona trees (from Peru) for the production of quinine to treat malaria (ca. 1852/1854). There was bitter conflict between Teijsmann and 2 botanist, J.E. de Vrij and Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn on the effectiveness of Cinchona species on treating malaria. Nevertheless successful experiment on the plant was carried out in the new Cibodas Gardens which eventually made Java the largest producer of kina (Cinchona bark).[3] His personal interest in palm trees led him to introduce the oil palm (from West Africa) to Indonesia, which remains a significant export earner for the country’s economy. He also introduced the vanilla artificial insemination techniques to Java, making the crop much more productive and cheaper.[4] Due to Teijsmann's hard put effort the number of plant collections in the garden had grown from 900 in 1822 to 10,000 in 1863.[5]

Teijsmann also played a big role on the separation of the Botanic Garden with the adjacent Buitenzorg Palace on 30 May 1868, a move which gave the public and scientist more access to the Gardens.[6] He resigned honorably from directorship of the garden in 1869 and was awarded with a title "Inspector Honorair Cultures". Using this title he visited all the provincial residences across the Dutch East Indies and continued to gather more plants for the Botanical Gardens.[5]

Teijsmann died in 1882 and for of his service to 's Lands Plantentuin, a monument to honor him was erected by his associate Dr. Melchior Treub in 1884. The monument is located in what is now called the Medan Teijsmann in the Botanic Garden (now known as Kebun Raya Bogor).[6]

The genus Teysmannia (since the work of Harold Emery Moore more correctly called Johannesteijsmannia) is named in his honour, together with several plant species. He was also commemorated in the periodical Teysmannia, which was published between 1890 and 1922. In 1925, it was incorporated into De Indische Culturen-Teysmannia.

References

  1. ↑ Harro Maat (2001). Science Cultivating Practice: A History of Agricultural Science in the Netherlands and its Colonies, 1863-1986 (The International Library of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Ethics). Springer; 2002 edition Iguchi. p. 37-40. ISBN 978-1402001130. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ Masatoshi Iguchi (1999). Java Essay: The History and Culture of a Southern Country. Masatoshi Iguchi. pp. 161–163. ISBN 978-1784621513. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  3. ↑ R. B. Cribb (2004). Historical Dictionary of Indonesia. Scarecrow Press. p. 80. ISBN 9780810849358. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  4. ↑ GROWING VANILLA PLANT, staff.unud.ac.id
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ag. Pringgodigdo (1973). Ensiklopedi Umum. Kanisius. p. 1102. ISBN 9789794135228. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sejarah Kebun Raya Bogor, krbogor.lipi.go.id
  7. ↑ "Author Query for 'Teijsm.'". International Plant Names Index.