Abraham Fahn

Background

Fahn was born in 1916 in Vienna, Austria.

Education

He emigrated to Mandate Palestine and studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, receiving a Doctor of Philosophy in 1948.

Career

In 1952, he joined the Hebrew University faculty, lecturing in botany. From 1952 to 1953, he was a research fellow at the University of Cambridge and in 1956 at Harvard University. He became an associate professor at the Hebrew University in 1960 and a full professor in 1965, serving dean of the faculty from 1964 to 1966 and pro-rector from 1969 to 1970.

Following the Six Days War in 1967, Fahn assisted in the restoration of the botanical gardens at the University"s Mount Scopus campus.

He also served for many years as head of the Forestry Department of the Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research. Fahn retired in 1985.

His books in the anatomy of plant are the source of basic knowledge in many cited academic studies.

Achievements

• In 1963, Fahn was awarded the Israel Prize, in life sciences.
  
  From 1995 to 1999, he served as Vice-President of the International Association of Botanists.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Secretory Tissues in Plants

    (312p cloth with brown/white dustjacket, some shelfwear, s...)

    1979
  • Plant anatomy

    (The author presents the basic concepts and terminology of...)

    1967
  • Xerophytes (HANDBUCH DER PFLANZENANATOMIE) 1992
  • Wood Anatomy and Identification of Trees and Shrubs from Israel and Adjacent Regions 1986

Personality

Even despite his achivements, Abraham was a modest person.

Quotes from others about the person

• Simcha Lev-Yadun "The opportunity to serve as guest editor for this special issue (Festschrift) in honor of Professor Abraham Fahn’s 90th birthday has given me great pleasure, as his “scientic grandson”, since he mentored my Ph.D. mentor. Professor Fahn was born in Vienna in the year 1916 and has always been an excellent example of a European gentleman who never pursued power. In spite of his great scientific success and the many honors he has received, including the Israel Prize, the highest honor that the State of Israel grants distinguished citizens, he has always been modest. As the mentor of a long list of students, a number of whom are professors, senior researchers, and active scientists themselves, Professor Fahn has personally influenced the careers of many fellow scientists."

Connections

He was married and had two daughters.

Wife:

Nehama Ekhajzer