Frans Cornelis Donders, 1818-1889.

Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Frans Cornelis Donders, 1818-1889. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    « time liis much loved son-in-law, became bis assistant in tbe Labora¬ tory, and finally, bis eminent successor. Donders continued in these new circumstances to display tbe same marvellous productiveness as heretofore, and to animate, by bis influence and example, tbe younger men attracted to him, often from distant countries. He delighted, as be bad ever done, to make them taste tbe joy of becoming themselves tbe authors of some original work of value, and to engage their interest and help in bis own laborious and systematic inquiries into whatever promised to benefit mankind in tbe sphere of tbe sciences be was cultivating. No better example of this generous ardour of pursuit could be adduced than bis method of dealing with tbe subjects of tbe Colour Sense and of Colour Blindness, then more and more attracting atten¬ tion in relation to tbe public safety. It exhibits very aptly bis many- sided excellence. While acquainting himself with tbe ideas of bis predecessors, be first statistically ascertained, with accuracy for him¬ self, tbe broader facts, engaging for this tbe aid of bis younger colleagues and pupils. Tbe delicate instruments which be was from time to time contriving in tbe course of bis researches bearing on tbe theory of tbe Colour Sense and its defects, as on other subjects,* were constructed in a special department of bis laboratory by tbe mechanician Kagenaar, whom he bad reared from a youth and made bis friend. His theoretical conclusions, as they were reached, were published in papers of permanent value.f Meanwhile be was also calling tbe attention of tbe higher officials of the railway and sea services, of his own and other countries, by all tbe means within bis power, to tbe responsibilities they lay under for the lives of tbe com¬ munity, in tbe matter of Colour Blindness; was framing rules for their acceptance, which they might suitably enforce ; and pressing bis conclusions to their final consequences in practical life, with such directness, moderation, and good sense, as compelled tbe attention and assent of administrators and statesmen. And that be might not fail in bis immediate object of effecting a present benefit, be further, for many years personally undertook, without remuneration, tbe very considerable labour of superintending tbe carrying out of this matter on tbe railways of Holland, examining scrupulously into tbe more doubtful instances of supposed defect, so as to prevent injustice to individuals, and in every way facilitating tbe adoption of tbe new rules which be had suggested. No wonder that his countrymen, * Many of these instruments were exhibited at South Kensington in the Loan Collection of Scientific Apparatus, 1876. t His views of that day “On Colours and Colour Blindness ” were well summarised by himself in the theatre of the Lucasian Professor at Cambridge, August, 1880, Sir G-eorge G-. Stokes being present. See ‘Brit. Med. Journ.,’ 13th November, 1880.
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