Gregor Johann Mendel (1822–1884), Austrian monk noted for his experimental
work on heredity. From 1843 to 1868 he conducted experiments, chiefly on garden peas and involving a controlled pollination
technique and a careful statistical
analysis of his
results, that produced the first accurate and scientific explanation for hybridization. Mendel's conclusions have become the
basic tenets of genetics and a notable influence in
plant and
animal breeding.
—SHSBC Binder 3 Approved Glossary