Johann Heinrich Blasius
Johann Heinrich Blasius ( born October 7, 1809 in Nümbrecht Corner Brook, Regierungsbezirk Köln; † May 26, 1870 in Braunschweig ) was a German zoologist.
Life
After completed 1831 exam for teachers at secondary schools he taught in Krefeld mathematics, natural history and German. Blasius studied from 1834 in Berlin, mathematics, geography, geology, zoology and botany. In 1836 he was appointed as associate professor ( since 1842 full professor ) for descriptive natural science at the Collegium Carolinum to Brunswick, where he worked until his death. He campaigned for the construction of a botanical garden. This led in 1840 to the founding of the Botanical Garden of Braunschweig.
Prior to his appointment, he had traveled with his friend Alexander Graf Keyserling large parts of Eastern Europe; the results of these explorations were published together in 1840. It followed in the years 1840 and 1841, a trip to Russia, reported on the Blasius 1844, as well as other trips to the Alps and Italy. In 1843 he was elected a member of the Scholars Academy Leopoldina.
Over time Blasius created a collection at the Collegium Carolinum, the 1857 combined with the natural history collection of the Ducal art and natural history collection, which led to the establishment of the Natural History Museum, whose director he was appointed in 1859. The museum reminds one created by August Howaldt bust him.
He was also from 1844 and second in 1864 first librarian of the University, 1862-1866 Member of the Executive Board of the Collegium Carolinum and from 1866 head of the Ducal Museum of Braunschweig.
Johann Heinrich Blasius was the father of Rudolf and Wilhelm Blasius Blasius. He led with his sons field observations in the nature reserve Riddagshäuser ponds by and described several species.
His grave is in the cemetery of the Reformed church in Juliusstraße.