Professor Tonko Šoljan, Ph.D. (1907-1980): Initiating and leading of HVAR Expedition

Abstract

       Prof. Tonko ŠOLJAN was an internationally reknown scientist, ichtyologist, and expert in fishery matters, especially in the Adriatic, professor of the generations of biologists, was born on April 18, 1907 in Hvar. He attended primary school in Zadar and Split, and grammar school in Zadar, Dubrovnik and Šibenik, where he graduated in 1925.

     Prof. ŠOLJAN started his university studies, enrolling the Natural Sciences College (Biology) at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb (1925-1926), and continued in Vienna (1927-1929) and Graz (1929-1930) where he received his Ph.D. in Zoology.

     Among his most significant works is the monography "Ribe Jadrana" (Fishes of the Adriatic) which has been already published in 5 editions. Prof. ŠOLJAN initiated and led the scientific Expedition M.V. HVAR and contributed to Marine research and advancement of fisheries among the Adriatic coast. He was also a member of a great number of scientific national and international associations in which he carried a number of responsibilities. Unfortunately, his admirable life suddenly ended on February 18, 1980 in a traffic accident in Sarajevo.