Gustav Niessl von Mayendorf

Gustav Niessl von Mayendorf (26 April 1839 in Verona – 1 September 1919 in Hütteldorf, Vienna; often cited as G. von Niessl), was an Austrian astronomer and mycologist. Niessl developed interests in botany, astronomy, and mathematics from a young age. His academic career began in 1859 as an assistant professor at the polytechnic institute in Brno, where he later became a full professor and served as rector (1877–1878). As an astronomer, he conducted research on meteor orbits that earned him membership in the Austrian Academy of Sciences, while his mycological work focused on microscopic fungi, resulting in an extensive herbarium and the description of several species. Niessl was instrumental in founding the Natural Science Society in Brno, serving as its secretary for over four decades (1865–1907), and received numerous honours throughout his career, including a government medal in 1883, appointment as court councillor in 1889, and an honorary doctorate upon his retirement in 1907.