Michael Sars who was the theologian and naturalist was born in Bergen, Norway in the year 1809. He had obtained European reputation for his contributions to marine biology and in particular invertebrate zoology. It was necessity to self-support that turned him to theology. He learnt theology and natural history. He completed his studies from the Royal Frederic's University in Christiania now known as University of Oslo. After completing a degree in the year 1828, Michael Sars took to teaching in different high schools and primary schools first in Christiana and later in Bergen. The year 1831 saw him appointed as the Vicar of Kinn, located on the Norwegian west coast. In the year 1854, Michael Sars was recognized as Extraordinary Professor of Zoology at the Royal Frederic's University. Though he learnt theology Michael Sars was interested in natural history. Beyond the limitations of being a theologian, Michael Sars was a marine biologist who went on to release publications on his findings. The topography of Bergen in Norway and the Royal Frederic's University in Christiania had left observers of marine life write about living creatures in the sea. One such observation was written by Bishop Gunnerus, who is renowned for the discovery of copepod Calanus Fimarchicus.
The curiosity of Michael Sars and his findings as marine biologist enabled him to release various publications on the subject. In his findings he reported that there is no poverty of life in the deeper depths of ocean. The first out of them came out in 1829 named Contributions to the Natural History of Marine Animals. The second publication named Descriptions and Observations etc was published in 1835. Fauna Littoralis Norvegiae is a large-scale volume issued by Sars in association with amateur biologists from the Museum in Bergen. All the above publications by Sars described about a routine activity of scientists of the period known as taxa. The publication also gives description on the life histories, reproductive cycles, food and feeding habits, reproductive cycles and geographical dispersal of organisms, which live 300 fathom or more below the sea level. This was in contradiction and to prove earlier findings by British zoologist, Edward Forbes in his biogeography articles that there was no life beyond 300 fathoms of sea level. The quest for the existence for life in deep sea set Michael Sars and his team reinstated the fact in various reports published in Norwegian journals the presence of taxa in Norwegian fjords. The first description from his dredging expeditions was given by Sars was on Rhizocrinus lofotensis, a stalked crinoids. This discovery and other similar findings brought inquisitive interests on deep-sea expeditions. Similar expeditions were carried around the world in 1860's till 1880's. Being a pioneer on marine biology Michael Sars was interested in studies on lower marine fauna. His interest was not restricted to discover new species but to find physiological process and the development of minute forms of life in the cycle of ovology, embryology and organology. Other biological interests of Sars include study on fossils.
The interests of Sars in the filed of zoology is said to be unlimited. Everything to think about interested him. All his observations in the field of living organisms paved way for the development in the field of ecology, physiology and reproductive biology. His experimentation and observation were meant to be perfect with an attempt to provide statistical details. The enormous findings and interest in oceanography of Sars lead the Norwegian Parliament to request him for an investigation on Norwegian fisheries. His son Georg Ossian Sars could complete all the above studies and more by Michael Sars posthumously by conducting some of the first studies in fisheries science. Georg Ossian Sars has also made a significant contribution to the common knowledge of fish, crustaceans and molluscs during his 90-year life. The profound knowledge of Georg Ossian Sars on deep see enabled him to contribute to the vision of his father on deep-sea creatures. Deep see animals mainly added to the list of invertebrates at sea. The completion of the above mentioned research resulted in a solid taxonomic base for marine zoology in Norway. Most of the work which came up after his death in 1869 was projects proposed by Sars on distribution and development proposal on inshore work. All this when information and instrumentation was not at his hands reach for development and conclusion on his findings of organisms. Though labeling and tracking were not his cup of tea, most of the specimen described by Sars still forms a part of the Zoological Museum in Oslo and Bergen, which gives us a better understanding of the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern side. The personality of Michael Sars as a Norwegian intellectual is praiseworthy. He was married to Maren Welhave, who is the sister of a well-known Norwegian epic poet J.S.Welhaven. Of their seven sons and seven daughters, Johan Ernst Sars and George Ossian followed their father to become professors at the University, though the former was a historian. Michael Sars's two daughters were renowned singers. In short the Sars family was a familiar lot in Norway both in academics and artistic. Not to mention like any scientist, Michael Sars was in touch with scientist in Europe and United states and shared his views on findings. He also visited his contemporaries when he got an opportunity. Though from Norway Michael Sars had also found a place in European literature. His influence was so deep and extensive that scientific findings published in Norwegian reached European museums. Michael Sars is considered to be one of the last zoologists to extensively research on all favorite organisms they found. This is due to the diverging techniques that came up that zoologist could not stay focused on every aspect.1 Funds were raised from Research Council of Norway, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the University of Bergen to set up The Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology in 1997. Sars International Centre is located amidst modern facilities of Bergen High Technology Centre with three departments like molecular biology, biology and informatics. The Centre is a partner of European Molecular Biology Laboratory -- EMBL and part of Unifob A/S. The center caters to various research program conducted in groups with internationally recruited group leaders. The subject of study is comparative molecular biology of Marine animals. New groups are hired from time to time and the program is conducted in collaboration with Sars Scientific Advisory Committee, Centre's Director and the Research Council of Norway. Sars Centre is now a rich source of information and guidance for researchers and scholars who can utilize facilities like early specimen at the museum, various theories of the sea beneath for in depth research. 2
Michael Sars was also known for his social accountability being a Priest. Cholera spread in his birth town of Bergen in December 1848. Since the available doctor was also affected Michael Sars made notable contributions to deal with the epidemic in terms of medicine, coffin, medicine, organizing graveyards, a local cholera hospital, etc. People who were unwilling to obey the rules to fight the epidemic was handed over to the police.3 Few references from various writings say bigger fishes are netted as far away from 500 fathom and there too exists life. References like Macruridae, cyclothone microdone prove this point earlier given by Michael Sars .4 The assumption almost 200 years ago about life in deep sea was proved wrong with a sizzling fact that life exist depths more than 400 - 500 meter. A most challenging expedition was conducted in 1910 with a four-month cruise with well-equipped ocean research vessel for deep sea research and study. All these also lauded the findings of Michael Sars to name him a celebrated international scientist for his outstanding work on marine animals. For equipments of his times, Michael Sars used dredger to find life in the depths of the sea since it was hard to believe that life did not exist in the depths of the ocean. In the year 1868, Michael Sars brought out a list of 427 animal species, which he found along the coast of Norway at a depth ranging 450 fathoms, which is nearly 820 m.5 References say Michael Sars should be considered as the real founder of hydrozoans systematic rather than Linnaeus and some others who had already named hydrozoans before him. Sars described the first hydrozoans life cycle (Corymorpha nutans) and named many known species, for example Bougainvillia muscoides (Sars, 1846), Rhizorhagium roseum Sars, 1874, Hydractinia carnea (M. Sars, 1846), Hydractinia fucicola M. Sars, 1857, Leuckartiara abyssi (G.O. Sars, 1874), Rathkea octopunctata (M. Sars, 1835), Sarsia lovenii (M. Sars, 1846), Sarsia tubulosa (M. Sars, 1835), Corymorpha glacialis M. Sars, 1859, Corymorpha nutans M. Sars, 1835, Clytia gracilis (M. Sars, 1850), Laomedea exigua M. Sars, 1857, Halecium pusillum (M. Sars, 1857), Grammaria abietina (M. Sars, 1850), Melicertum octocostatum (M. Sars, 1835), Stegopoma plicatile (M. Sars, 1863) 6
When research was on by Michael Sars and his son G.O.Sars, Charles Wyville Thomson in the UK was curious about the question whether life existed in the deep cold water , whether it could shelter life. This led him to visit Michael Sars in Norway and believed on seeing animals being dredged from the fjords. This lead him to dredge for living beings in the sea back home in London and dredge over 4000 m from the sea with the help of British Royal Navy which was considered to be a great achievement those times. This also led to his setting up of Science of Oceanography by Charles Wyville Thomson7. The personality of Michael Sars is enduring as a marine zoologist with exceptional vision. His boldness to come out of conservative conclusive articles of his time proves his wider thought. The platform laid by Michael Sars for extensive study on deep-sea organism has lead to a wider perspective in the field of science. A versatile person indeed, being a theologian and a biologist his contribution to the society on being a priest is also noticeable. He is a total personality with family and children with varied interests. The world recognition for the Sars with a Sars International Center clearly states the importance of his recommendations for developmental study of the sea. This also has a commercial effect where the increase and decrease in the marine population can be analyzed from time to time. The person in Michael Sars may be further discussed with the views he shared with his counterparts elsewhere in the world. On sharing his knowledge, it is clear to have added to the ideas of scientists and biologists around the world to find newer dimensions in the field of marine biology. The contribution of Georg Ossian Sars to his father's work is also commendable. Though he learnt medicine, he further took to completing his father's initiative and lead expeditions in the coasts of Norway.
With limited resources and equipment Michael Sars has almost imagined a new world in the sea. Deeper visions and wider thoughts have always paved way for a better beginning. Though he applied crude technique like dredging out living organisms, the result from all of them were applauded. An enterprising person Michael Sars being a theologian took to marine biology following his instincts of curiosity. This is also a lesson for young aspirants to follow their calling to bring the best out of a person. His early setting to expedite deep sea is sure to have invited criticism. In-depth knowledge as a professor would have been one reason for Michael Sars to reach his goal. The life of Michael Sars is not restricted to theology and priesthood. His name has become synonymous with the discovery of minute marine animals in the world of marine biology. Besides naming him as an exceptional biologist no reference has been made about the laurels or accolades bestowed upon him. His name has but received recognition in the Europe and the world as a whole. Several expedition set out later by the Norwegian Government has been named after him. One of the crucial expeditions in 1910 which paved way for various observations and discovery from the Norwegian sea was named after Michael Sars. A world of theology transformed into a world of marine biology by setting new horizons in marine biology around the world, Michael Sars is a name to reckon with modern science of oceanography. When you remember Michael Sars you portray the person as a theologian, a committed priest, an enterprising scientist, a bold expeditor who made innovative methods of expedition and a host of theories on marine sciences.
