Gabriel Rzączyński, S.J. (1667–1737), the Gdańsk Scholars, and the Making of Natural History in the Commonwealth of Poland–Lithuania

Abstract In the early eighteenth century, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth exhibited a notable gap in the study of natural history, despite its vast and ecologically diverse landscape. This article examines the contributions of Gabriel Rzączyński, a Jesuit priest and naturalist, who endeavored to address this scholarly neglect. By analyzing his publications along with his correspondence and contemporary reception, this study argues that Rzączyński, despite initial criticism, played an important role in fostering interest in the natural history of Poland–Lithuania. Additionally, the article comments on Rzączyński’s life and career, focusing particularly on his interactions with the renowned naturalists of Gdańsk (Germ. Danzig), Johann Philipp Breyne and Jacob Theodor Klein. Their collaboration facilitated a critical exchange of knowledge regarding the natural history of Eastern and Central Europe.