ABSTRACT
Gregor Johann Mendel returned to Brunn at the close of the summer term of 1853. On May 26, 1854, he was appointed supply teacher at Brunn Modern School, founded a year earlier. Josef Auspitz, the headmaster, had previously been a master at Brunn Technical School, and later until his death he was school inspector in Moravia. The little white-haired man who sits on Auspitz’ left hand was the most notable amongst Mendel’s colleagues, Professor Alexander Zawadsky, botanist and noted scholar. The most remarkable of his scientific achievements was his study of the fauna and flora of Eastern Galicia and Bukowina. For practical purposes he may be regarded as a pioneer in this field. To the period of Mendel’s work at Brunn Modern School belongs the portrait known by the name of “Mendel as professor.” A better known portrait of Mendel is shown in Plate VI, which has been made widely familiar through its reproduction in Bateson’s classical work.
