Juan Antonio Hernández Pérez de Larrea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juan Antonio Hernández Pérez de Larrea
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| Born | September 30, 1730 Villar del Salz, Spain
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| Died | April 21, 1803 (aged 72) Valladolid, Spain
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| Nationality | Spanish |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Botany |
Juan Antonio Hernández Pérez de Larrea was a smart Spanish man who lived a long time ago (from 1730 to 1803). He was known for many things! He was a botanist, which means he studied plants. He also led an important group called the Sociedad Económica de los Amigos del País, and he became a Bishop in the city of Valladolid.
Contents
Early Life and Studies
Juan Antonio was born into a noble family in Villar del Salz, Spain. This meant his family was important and well-known. He was very good at studying theology, which is the study of religious beliefs. Because he was so good, he became a pastor in the town of Terriente in 1760. A pastor is a leader in a Christian church.
Work in Zaragoza
In 1775, Juan Antonio was given a special job as a canon in Zaragoza. A canon is a type of priest who works closely with a cathedral. While in Zaragoza, he became very interested in the city's botanical garden. A botanical garden is a special place where many different kinds of plants are grown for scientific study and public display.
Experiments with Dyes and Silk
Juan Antonio didn't just study plants; he also liked to experiment! He tried to make carmine dye. Carmine is a bright red color often used in paints and foods. He also experimented with spinning silk. Silk is a soft, shiny fabric made from the cocoons of silkworms. These experiments showed his interest in both science and practical crafts.
Honors and Leadership
In 1788, Juan Antonio was given a special honor. He was made a knight of the Order of Charles III. This was a very important award from the King of Spain.
Leading an Academy
Later, in 1792, he started working with the Real Academia de Nobles y Bellas Artes de San Luis. This was a royal academy for noble people interested in arts and sciences. His hard work and knowledge led him to become the director of this important Academy in 1798. Being a director meant he was in charge of guiding the academy's work.
Becoming a Bishop
In 1801, Juan Antonio was appointed as the Bishop of the diocese of Valladolid. A Bishop is a high-ranking leader in the Christian church, overseeing many churches in a specific area. He moved to Valladolid for this new role. He passed away there in 1803.
Legacy
Juan Antonio Hernández Pérez de Larrea's work in botany was remembered. A whole group of plants, called the genus Larrea, was named in his honor. This is a common way to remember important scientists.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Antonio Hernández Pérez de Larrea para niños
