Kaszab Zoltán (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 72. (Budapest 1980)

Kováts, D.: In memoriam Dr. József Ujhelyi (1910-1979)

ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Tomus 72. Budapest 1980. In memóriám Dr. József Újhelyi (1910—1979) by D. KOVÁTS, Budapest The sudden death of JÓZSEF ÚJHELYI, on 3rd May 1979, at the age of 69, came as a great shock to his many friends, former pupils and colleagues alike. He had a distinguished scientific and educational career both at the university and the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest extending well over 40 years, during which he devoted his boundless energy and knowledge to the advancement of botany mainly in the research of Gramineae (Poaceae), teaching university students and popularizing science. ÚJHELYI was an agile man, with consistency of principle and admirable qualities of generosity, friendliness, geniality and warmth with good humor. He was always glad to assist others, to give advice and encouragement, especially in difficult botanical or personal problems. He was a skilful raconteur, many of us will remember the amusing and witty stories he so much enjoyed telling. ÚJHELYI was born on 4th May 1910, at Ecser (nr. Budapest). His father was a lawyer, who died at the age of 52. ÚJHELYI had three brothers and two sisters. His keen interest in natural history stemmed from his family especially from his father and elder brother. From his childhood and during his youth spent a lot of time at the countryside (Ecser), collecting plants and insects and other animals with his elder brother, who gave him special books and advice, so ÚJHELYI identified the collected material from his school-days and early youth. From 1916 to 1920 he attended primary school in Budapest and Ecser, after he studied at a grammar school in Budapest. He had passed his final examination (General Certificate of Education) in 1928. For one year he was a student gardener at the Royal Palace Garden, then studied at the College of Horticulture for one year. It was natural for him starting work in a garden and studying horticulture. The professor of botany of that time at the College of Horticulture took note of him and advised him to continue his studies at the Pázmány Péter University in Budapest (today Eötvös Loránd University) which he did enrolling for natural history, geography and chemistry (1930-1934). In 1935 be graduated as a grammar-school teacher (Master of Science Degree) and in 1937 he took his university doctor's degree in plant taxonomy, geography and mineralogy. Upon the invitation of PROF. DR. J. TUZSON, ÚJHELYI became an unpaid assistant at the Education Department of Plant Taxonomy and Plant Geography of the Pázmány Péter University in Budapest. From 1942 to 1945 he was first assistant. ÚJHELYI was very active to teach university students, from 1941 to 1944 he held not only practical courses but delivered lectures and guided students who wanted to take doctor's degree. He also edited the botanical journal "Borbásia", from 1940 to 1944. In 1945 he was habilitated as a university lecturer (honorary professor) in monocotyledons. He taught at the university until 1955, moreover, he was lecturer at the Teacher's Training College, the College of Horticulture and the member of the board of examiners for candidates to schoolmastership until 1944 and 1950 respectively. Today his numerous pupils are working at various research institutes and in universities. Ann. Hist.-nat. Mus. Nat. Hung., 72, 1980