When was Carolus Clusius born and when did he die?
Carolus Clusius lived from 1526 to 1609. He died in the year 1609 after a long career as a botanist.
Questions about Carolus Clusius
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where did Carolus Clusius study medicine before becoming a botanist?
Carolus Clusius studied medicine at Montpellier under professor Guillaume Rondelet between 1551 and 1554. He never practiced as a physician despite his medical training.
What role did Carolus Clusius hold in Vienna during the reign of Emperor Maximilian II?
Emperor Maximilian II appointed Carolus Clusius prefect of the imperial medical garden in Vienna in 1573. He also served as Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber while managing exotic bulbs from Constantinople.
How many letters survive from Carolus Clusius today and what languages were they written in?
About 1,500 letters survive within the collection held at Leiden University Libraries today. These documents span thirty-two years from 1560 through 1609 and involve 320 correspondents written in six different languages.
Which publication by Carolus Clusius was released in 1605 and what does it cover?
Exoticorum libri decem released in 1605 surveyed exotic flora and fauna still consulted by researchers today. This work remains a key reference for modern study of global plants and animals.