Conrad Gessner was a Swiss physician, naturalist, bibliographer, and philologist. Born into a poor family in Zürich, Switzerland, his father and teachers quickly realised his talents and supported him through university, where he studied classical languages, theology and medicine.

When was Conrad Gessner died?

Conrad Gesner, Conrad also spelled Konrad, Gesner also spelled Gessner, (born March 26, 1516, Zürich, Swiss Confederation [Switzerland]—died December 13, 1565, Zürich), Swiss physician and naturalist best known for his systematic compilations of information on animals and plants.

What did Conrad Gessner invent?

In 1565, Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner published a drawing of a strip of graphite inside a tube of wood — the first depiction of a wood pencil. The invention swiftly spread through Europe. Vive le crayon!