Ludwig Jost, 1865 - 1947

Abstract

With the death in 1947 of Ludwig Jost botanical science lost one who had played a notable part in its development during the last half century. Best known for his textbook of plant physiology, a masterly survey of the subject and widely used, he exercised also a great influence on the development of plant physiology by his critical reviews, in theBotanische Zeitungand later in theZeitschrift für Botanik, which were eagerly read by a whole generation of botanists. That Jost’s experimental work brought him less renown is due in part to his habit of devoting himself to topics where his textbook survey had found gaps in knowledge he wished to fill, a devotion that often led him to take up difficult tasks not readily attempted by others. An experimenter of high intelligence and manual skill he made contributions of fine quality in many fields of plant physiology and experimental morphology. Jost impressed younger botanists by his personal dignity and wisdom combined with a lively temperament. To discuss with him a problem, e.g. of irritability, then a topic of general interest, or the meaning and bearing of a biological term, was a pleasant experience. Professor M. Skene of Bristol, probably his only British pupil, remembers the atmosphere of Jost’s Strassburg laboratory in 1910-1911 as very friendly and intimate, owing to the professor’s warm personality (personal letter). ‘It would be incorrect’, Skene writes, ‘to say that Jost was hospitable to the foreigners, for we were not foreigners to him. He was always about the laboratory, a benevolent figure, ever ready with advice, encouragement and criticism. The critical character of his mind had a deep influence on us all, as had his unquestioning devotion to his science. His authority as a teacher and scientist—he was an admirable and finished lecturer and, of course, his book is a classic of clarity—dominated us; but there was no other sort of domination.’ Jost’s greatest ambition had been fulfilled when in 1907 he succeeded Solms in his beloved Strassburg Institute and his despondency was the greater when in 1918, with the return of Alsace to France, he had to leave that post. The loss of his only son in the First World War was another heavy blow, as was the death of his former pupil, afterwards his dear friend and collaborator, Hans Kniep. Jost lived on to see his country’s decline under Nazi rule which he resisted as far as he could.