Gregor Mendel (1822–1884) was an Austrian monk and scientist known as the "Father of Genetics". Mendel studied science and mathematics at the University of Vienna, and joined the Augustinian monastery in Brno, an institution known for its interest in science.

    Mendel conducted experiments with Sweet Peas (Pisum sativa) during the 1850s and 1860s. By working with discrete characters such as round and wrinkled peas, or yellow and green pea pods, and white or red flowers, and by conducting carefully controlled crosses over several generations, and most importantly, counting the results of such crosses, he discovered predictable patterns in how traits are inherited. He proposed that inherited characteristics are controlled by discrete factors, which he called elementen and which we now call genes, and developed principles that became known as the Laws of Dominance, Segregation and Independent Assortment. Mendel published his findings in 1867, but they received almost no attention during his lifetime. He corresponded with a prominent German scientist who failed to appreciate what he had done, and directed him to work on precisely the wrong species to test his theories. Mendel sent a copy of his paper to Charles Darwin: Darwin never opened the paper.

    Mendel eventually became Abbot of his monastery, which curtailed his experimental work. His students all recalled him as an excellent teacher. Almost simultaneously at the beginning of the twentieth century, three scientists rediscovered his 1867 paper and recognized the importance of his earlier work. This launched an explosion of research in the new science of Genetics. Mendel's experiments are appreciated as a landmark of experimental design, careful procedure, and mathematical analysis in biology.