- 2.1.1923–2.8.2008
Karel Samšiňák was a scientist and gallerist who made a name for himself as an entomologist and expert on acari. In addition to his scientific work, he also devoted himself to art history and art collecting and founded an art gallery on the Šolc farm. He is a recipient of the Gregor J. Mendel Silver Medal for lifetime contribution to science.
Karel Samšiňák (1923─2008) was born Sobotka, where from his youth he devoted himself to research in natural sciences. He was interested in entomology and especially in the study of ants. He published his first works when still in high school and his path then naturally led to the Faculty of Science at Charles University. He could only start his studies there after the end of the war, but after only four years of study he received his doctorate for his excellent diploma thesis on acari, which he was eventually tempted to study by the most prominent Czech parasitologist Otto Jírovec. Eventually he also succeeded at having the young scientist work at the Institute of Parasitology he headed even though Samšiňák`s political views were not to the liking of the communist regime. Karel Samšiňák soon became an expert on acari of world renown and credited with countless papers and newly discovered species. He participated in international research on asthma and was able to identify a mite agent of asthma from the family Pyroglyphidae living in bedding. He was also a member of the team of scientists behind the eradication of the mite calamity on housing estates and discovered the varroosis bee infestation. He received the Gregor J. Mendel Silver Medal for his lifetime contribution to science. In addition to his purely scientific work, he also devoted himself to art. He collected paintings, prints, held exhibitions and lectured on art. With the help of his family, he converted the Šolc family farmhouse into an exhibition hall, museum and gallery. The renowned scientist, parasitologist and entomologist was thus able to establish himself also among art historians.
- References
CHALUPSKÝ, J.: Karel Samšiňák zemřel. Zprávy České akarologické společnosti, 16/2008, č. 2
SAMŠIŇÁK J.: Šolcův statek v Sobotce: historie, lidé, umění. Sobotka 2015
- PH
