Who is the Father of Biology? Aristotle

Who is the Father of Biology? Aristotle, the Greek Philosopher, is considered the Father of Biology. Aristotle’s most important contribution to Biology and Zoology is the classification of species. He was the first to classify animals on the basis of their physiological similarities, differences, and behaviour.

Table of Contents

• Father of Biology: Aristotle
• The Biography of Aristotle
• Aristotle’s Discoveries in Biology
• Notable Works of Aristotle in Biology
  • Historia Animalium
  • De Generatione Animalium
• Rewards and Recognition
• Aristotle’s Later Life

Father of Biology: Aristotle

Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, was a polymath. He has pioneered in various fields of study which includes Biology, Philosophy, Economics, Linguistics, Psychology, and Arts. Aristotle was a Greek philosopher, who studied the animals in Lesbos for two years and studied their similarities and dissimilarities in physiological features. His famous theory is the classification of animals on various parameters. He was the first to distinguish between blood and bloodless animals.

The Biography of Aristotle

Aristotle was born in 384 BC in Stagira, North Greece. His father, Nicomachus, was a physician of the royal Macedonian family. His mother, Phaestis, hailed from an affluent family. Aristotle had lost both his parents when he was young. He received his education from Plato’s Academy. 

After the death of Plato, Aristotle went to live on Assos island along with Xenocrates who also hailed from Plato's Academy. Here, under the patronage of the ruler of Assos, Hermias, he started his research on marine organisms.

After three years of stay on Assos Island when Hermias died, Aristotle went to Lesbos and married Pythias, who was Hermias’ niece. Aristotle and Pythias had a daughter, who was also named Pythias. 

After the death of Pythias, Aristotle got married to Herpyllis and their son was named Nicomachus. Aristotle died in 322 BC after suffering from a stomach-disorder, when he was sixty-two years old.

Here are the highlights from Aristotle’s life and works:

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Aristotle’s Discoveries in Biology

Aristotle, the father of Biology, has pioneered several studies in the subject. He has not just explored new facts about life, but has also proposed theories that are documented. Some of the most notable discoveries made by Aristotle include:

• Aristotle has explored and studied the classification of animals into various categories, such as vertebrates and invertebrates, animals with blood and animals without blood.
• He studied several parameters of zoology such as inheritance, metabolism, temperature, and embryogenesis.
• The father of biology, Aristotle, dissected almost thirty five species of animals. He has written and recorded the internal anatomy of these animals.
• He has studied several characteristic features of animals such as locomotion, respiration, life-span, sleeping, waking, etc.

Notable Works of Aristotle in Biology

Aristotle had begun his study on animals when he was receiving his education in the academy of Plato. He has made several discoveries. He had explored the natural world and made many discoveries. The most notable among the works of Aristotle are On Animals or De Animalibus. On Animals is a set of five books. Two of his other important works include Generation of Animals or De Generatione Animalium, and History of Animals or Historia Animalium.

Historia Animalium

The Historia Animalium or History of Animals is composed of his close observations of marine life around Lesbos island. His findings include the colour-changing ability of octopus, the reproductive system of mammals, etc. While some of his observations were not given due respect in the initial years, after the rediscovery of these observations in the 19th century, his study gained prominence posthumously.

De Generatione Animalium

De Generatione Animalium or Generation of Animals holds the observations of Aristotle on heredity, reproduction, and gestation. Generation of Animals has been divided into five books. Each of these books contains a detailed study made by the polymath, on a particular topic. Aristotle has presented a thorough study of the reproductive system of mammals and non-mammals.

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Rewards and Recognition

Though Aristotle, the father of biology, pioneered the subject and documented several observations in his books, De Animalibus, Historia Animalium, and De Generatione Animalium, he has never gained rewards or recognition in his lifetime. Few of his observations were considered fanciful and collected from other’s observations initially. 

Most of his works were given the form of treatise. With time, after the rediscovery of the observations made by Aristotle, his works started gaining prominence. He has achieved recognition posthumously for his works.

Apart from Biology, he has also studied and made significant contributions to other fields such as Philosophy, metaphysics, Physics, aesthetics, logic, Geology, Meteorology, etc. Aristotle founded the Peripatetic School of Philosophy in Athens, Greece.

The Aristotle Award began in 1995, which earned him recognition posthumously. This award was given to all the teachers who made great contributions to the academic growth and development of students.
The observations made by the father of biology, Aristotle, received considerable recognition from the 19th century.

Aristotle’s Later Life

It is believed that Aristotle had worked on most of his theories and studies during his later life, which was 335 BC - 323 BC. In later life, the relationship between the tutor and disciple, Aristotle and Alexander, became tarnished owing to the relationship of Alexander with Persia. 

The death of Aristotle occurred in Chalcis, Euobia, due to natural causes. It is believed that the father of biology had left a will wherein he placed his wish to be buried beside his wife, after his death.