The macula in the human retina was first identified by Samuel Thomas von Sömmerring, a discovery that solidified his position as a significant figure in eighteenth-century anatomy. Beyond his contributions to ophthalmology, he applied a rigorous, scientific approach to neurology, embryology, and the structural analysis of sensory organs while maintaining a diverse career across several European intellectual centers.
Academic and Medical Career
Born in 1755 in Toruń, Sömmerring pursued his medical education at the University of Göttingen. His early research, conducted at age 23, resulted in a definitive description of the cranial nerves that remained scientifically relevant for decades. He held academic appointments at the Collegium Carolinum in Kassel and later at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, where he served as dean of the medical faculty for five years. Following the French annexation of Mainz, he transitioned to private practice in Frankfurt in 1795, where he actively promoted smallpox vaccination.
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Sömmerring produced extensive descriptive works regarding the human body, including the first accurate depiction of the female skeletal structure. His research extended into natural history, where he classified fossil specimens. In 1812, he formally described the Pterodactylus, formerly known as Ornithocephalus antiquus. His investigative scope included the nervous system, pulmonary structure, and embryonic malformations, all of which influenced contemporary understanding of physiological development.
Inventive Pursuits and Later Life
In 1804, Sömmerring relocated to Munich to serve as a court counselor following an invitation from the Bavarian Academy of Science. Throughout this period, he engaged in various technological projects, including the 1809 invention of an electrical telegraph and the development of specialized astronomical telescopes. He maintained membership in numerous prestigious institutions, such as the Royal Society, to which he was elected a foreign member in 1827. He returned to Frankfurt in 1820 and died there in 1830, with his interment taking place at the Frankfurt Main Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1755, Toruń
- Died: 1830, Frankfurt
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Prussia
- Key Discovery: Macula of the human retina
- Notable Invention: Electrical telegraph (1809)
- Foreign Member of the Royal Society: 1827
- Burial Site: Frankfurt Main Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What is Sömmerring's primary contribution to medicine?
He is recognized for his pioneering work in neuroanatomy, his description of the retinal macula, and his systematic studies of the human skeleton and sensory organs.
Did Sömmerring contribute to fields outside of medicine?
Yes, he was an accomplished paleontologist who identified the Pterodactylus and a creative inventor who developed early telegraphic systems and astronomical tools.
Achievements
- Held posts at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
- Fields: medicine, anatomy and physiology
