Thea - Thea (English spelling) Albrecht Daniel Thaer

German agronomist and financial scholar. Born in Celle, Lower Saxony, as the son of a court physician, Ther studied medicine in Göttingen, then returned to his hometown to assist his father, succeeding him after his death. Unsatisfied with his medical practice, Ther devoted himself to the practical aspects of farm management and scientific research to increase agricultural production. In 1802, he began giving lectures to farmers, and in 1804 he became secretary to the Prussian court and a member of the Berlin Academy of Sciences. In the same year, he moved to Möglin on the Oder River. In 1810, he became professor of finance at the University of Berlin. Ther's activities were wide-ranging, from agricultural legislation to the improvement of the Merino sheep breed. He believed that an increase in humus in the soil was a fundamental condition for increasing agricultural yields, and became a leading advocate of the humus theory. His major works include "Introduction to English Agricultural Economy" (1798-1804) and "Foundations of Rational Agriculture" (1809-12).

[Hisao Shibuya]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ドイツの農学者、財政学者。宮廷医師の子としてニーダーザクセンのツェレに生まれる。ゲッティンゲンで医学を学び、故郷に帰り父を助け、父の死後その地位を継いだ。医業に満足できなくなったテーアは、農場経営の実務と農業生産を高めるための科学的研究に没頭した。1802年、農業者のための講義を始め、04年プロシア宮廷の秘書官、ベルリン科学アカデミーの会員となった。同年オーデル川沿いのメグリンへ移住。10年ベルリン大学の財政学教授。テーアの活動範囲は広く、農業立法からヒツジのメリノー種の改良にまで及んだ。彼は、土中の腐植質の増加が農作物の収量を高める基本的条件と考え、腐植説の主唱者となった。主著に『イギリス農業経済序説』Einleitung zur Kenntnis der englischen Landwirtschaft（1798～1804）、『合理的農業の基礎』Grundzüge der rationellen Landwirtschaft（1809～12）がある。

［渋谷寿夫］

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