Biography

Argentine medic, professor of natural scientist and influential director of the Zoological Gardens in Buenos Aires, Eduardo Ladislao Holmberg was not only involved with the creation of important natural science institutions and publications, but was the first Argentine writer of Science Fiction. His grandfather arrived in Argentina from Germany in 1812 and E. L. Holmberg inherited a love of plants from both his grandfather and father who were amateur collectors.

Born in Buenos Aires, Holmberg was privately schooled until he entered the University of Buenos Aires to study medicine. Despite graduating as a doctor in 1880 with a thesis on Phosphenes (an entoptic phenomenon) he never practiced as a medic, claiming he was repulsed by the idea of making a living through witnessing the pain of others. Instead he dedicated himself to the study of the natural sciences, having been active in this field for eight years when he graduated at 28. Indeed in 1872 he travelled to the south of Argentina and conducted a number of scientific investigations, publishing his work in the book Viajes por la Patagonia at the age of 20. A few years later Holmberg published his first scientific work in the field of economic entomology, entitled "The Beneficiaries and Enemies of Agriculture" in 1874.

At this time he also focused on his fiction writing, an area in which he was very skilled, and during his life he wrote twenty stories, novels, poems and essays on the arts. Titles included The Marvellous Journey of Señor Nic-Nac , Hoffman's Pipe and an extensive poem entitled Lin-Calel. He also translated some of his favourite British works, such as Charles Dickens' The Pick-Wick Papers.

Holmberg was particularly focused on the study of arachnids in these former years and between 1876 and 1879 he published on this taxa in journals such as Anales de Agricultura Argentinia and the Periódico Zoológico, describing numerous new species. In 1977 he travelled to the northern provinces and subsequently published "Mammals and Birds of Salta". The following year he collaborated with the entomologist Enrique Lynch Arribálazaga to create the first Argentine journal dedicated to the study of the natural sciences: El Naturalista Argentino. Later, in 1891, he would also work alongside Florentino Ameghino in the creation of his American Journal of Natural History.

After his graduation as medic Holmberg continued to travel extensively throughout Argentina, publishing works in a variety of Argentinian journals describing the geology, botany and zoology of the regions he visited. Amongst his systematic studies are works on the Hymenoptera, Terrestrial Molluscs, Argentinean Flora and Arachnids. In 1888 Holmberg was given direction of the Zoological Garden of Buenos Aires, revolutionising the institution with new species, changes to the diet of the animals and a massive push to better educate the public that came to the zoo; he once wrote about the displays in zoos only being for the entertainment of kids that "cannot tell an elephant from a cow, a monkey from a swan". It was said that he could always be found in the cages or mixing with the visitors, sharing with them fascinating and curious facts about the animals they were viewing. He created many maps and plans of the gardens and founded the journal of the zoological gardens to publicise their scientific achievements. Unfortunately his role as director ended abruptly due to a disagreement with the city authorities in 1904.

Holmberg is considered the first professor of natural history in the country, beginning at the age of 23 in the Escuela Normal de Profesores, where two years later he would also teach physics and chemistry. Later in the University of Buenos Aires he took over Carlos Berg's role in the Faculty of Sciences (ANCEFN), first temporarily in 1890 then permanently in 1902. Here he taught and befriended Cristóbal Hicken who would become one of Argentina's most important botanists. Amongst his administrative roles was the inspection of secondary teaching, both normal and specialised, a post offered to him on his return from a trip to Uruguay with Berg. Holmberg was also an accomplished public speaker and presented many lectures and seminars on a variety of topics, including many in Argentina's theatres. In 1882 he spoke in the National Theatre about the life and works of Charles Darwin (shortly after his death) whose ideas Holmberg immediately accepted and defended, and the conference was soon published as a book. In conferences as in the classroom, his lessons were animated, captivating his audiences.

In 1911 Holmberg was amongst the founders of the group 'Physis', created for the diffusion of natural science knowledge throughout Argentina, the journal of which is now one of the most important science publications in the country. In total Holmberg published over 200 works, including the book Elemental Botany (a nationally consulted text) and a Flora and Fauna which remained a unique text on Argentinean botany and zoology for over 60 years. He received a great deal of recognition for his works and on his 75th birthday was awarded a number of important prizes: the deacon of the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales (Eduardo Huergo) awarded Holmberg with a gold medal, he was made an honorary president of the Academy of Natural Sciences and a benefactor of the National Museum of Natural History. He also has a research vessel named after him and in 1927 the city of Buenos Aires created the Prize 'Eduardo L. Holmberg'.

Sources:
Anon, 1999, "Eduardo Ladislao Holmberg: Naturalista (Botánico, Geólogo y Zoólogo) ":
www.planetariogalilei.com.ar/ameghino/biografias/holmb.htm
Deulofeu, V., 1975, "Eduardo L. Holmberg (1952-1937) ". ANCEFN- Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales: http://www.ancefn.org.ar/institucional/presidentes/holmberg.htm
Giacchino, A., 1995, "Breve Bigrafía del Naturalista Argentino Eduardo Ladislao Holmberg (1952-1937) ". Fundación de Historia Natural Fílix de Azara: http://www.fundacionazara.org.ar/Artic/Divulgacion/Biografia_holmberg.htm
Lopez, H. L., Miquelarena, A. M. and Ponte Gómez, J., 2008, Ictiólogos de la Argentina: Eduardo Ladislao Holmberg. Museo de la Plata (UNLP).
Holmberg, E. L., 1922, "A Título de Presentación", Darwiniana 1:6-7
Ringuelet, R. A., 1944, "Eduardo L. Holmberg" Museo 3(18): 47-50
Porter, C. E., 1909, "El Dr. Eduardo L. Holmberg", Revista Chileña de Historia Natural 13: 297-299.