Matsumura Shonen

Entomologist. Born in Akashi-cho, Hyogo Prefecture. Graduated from Sapporo Agricultural College in 1895 (Meiji 28), and became an assistant professor there the following year. In 1907 (Meiji 40), he became a professor at the College of Agriculture of Tohoku Imperial University, and in 1919 (Taisho 8), became a professor at Hokkaido Imperial University, which was established when the College of Agriculture was separated. In 1934 (Showa 9), he retired and became a professor emeritus. In 1950 (Showa 25), he was appointed a member of the Academy, and in 1954, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit. A pioneer in entomology in Japan, he not only conducted research on insects in general, and described and published many new species, but also worked to popularize entomology through many books and educational articles, such as "Japanese Entomology," "Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Pests," "Classification of Insects," "Illustrated Guide to Japanese Thousand Insects," "Illustrated Guide to Popular Japanese Insects," and "Illustrated Guide to Japanese Insects." Kaiseki Matsumura, a religious leader, was his older brother.

[Takehiko Nakane]

"Reprint of Japanese Entomology" with commentary by Masayasu Konishi (1984, Scientist Press)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

昆虫学者。兵庫県明石町に生まれる。1895年（明治28）札幌農学校を卒業、翌年同校助教授となる。1907年（明治40）に東北帝国大学農科大学教授、1919年（大正8）には前記の農科大学が独立してできた北海道帝国大学教授となり、1934年（昭和9）退官し名誉教授、1950年（昭和25）学士院会員に推され、1954年には文化功労者に選ばれた。日本における昆虫学の先覚者で、昆虫全般にわたって研究を行い、多数の新種を記載発表したのみならず、『日本昆虫学』『大日本害虫全書』『昆虫分類学』『日本千虫図解』『日本通俗昆虫図説』『日本昆虫大図鑑』など多数の著書や啓蒙(けいもう)記事で昆虫学の普及に努めた。宗教家の松村介石(かいせき)は実兄にあたる。

［中根猛彦］

『小西正泰解説『復刻　日本昆蟲学』（1984・サイエンティスト社）』

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