| Reuss, František Ambrož Dr. M.D.
The first Czech balneologist, founder of the modern geological and medical research of the Czech Spas, father of A.E. Reuss. He studied medicine and philosophy, worked first as general practitioner in Prague, later he left for Freiberg to study geology at the Mining Academy. After his return to Bohemia he was physician in the Bílina spa till his death. Besides his medical practice he was interested in mineralogy and geology and especially hydrology and balneology of the west Bohemian health resorts. He wrote voluminous textbooks 'Mineralogische Geographie von Böhmen' and 'Lehrbuch der Mineralogie', based on the Neptunic theory, popular at that time, which belongs among the best publications of the beginning of the 19th century. He described in detail geology and hydrology of the Czech mineral springs, their chemical composition, origin, and healing properties (e.g., Mariánské lázně spa, Teplické lázně spa, and others). In his time he belonged among the best experts in geology and mineralogy of Bohemia. His thorough knowledge was appreciated even by J.W. Goethe who visited twice the Bílina spa and climbed the Bořeň hill. A. von Humboldt, von Schlotheim and J.J. Berzelius, the famous Swedish chemist, were his friends. He is the author of bilingual mineralogical dictionary. His large collection of minerals and fossils, collected during his scientific missions was first deposited at the Bílina castle, later sold to the Museum of Budapest. His extensive library is deposited at the Roudnice castle.
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born 9th October 1761, Prague, died 9th September 1830, Bílina
