Johann Mendel was born into an ethnic German family in Heinzendorf bei Odrau, Moravian-Silesian border, Austrian Empire (now Hynčice, Czech Republic). He was given the name Gregor when he joined the Augustinian friars.Photo credit: Wellcome Library, London., Portrait of Mendel in oval., Life of Mendel, Iltis, Hugo. Published: Allen and Unwin 1932. Facing page 264, plate X.