Karl Ernst Adolf von Hoff

Karl Ernst Adolf von Hoff ( born 1 November 1771 in Gotha, † May 24, 1837 in Gotha ) was a German naturalist and geologist.

After studying law, physics and natural history he stood from 1791 in the diplomatic service of Duke Ernst II of Gotha -Altenburg. In the diplomatic service was in two parts, the Germany book, which is committed to the state law as of geography. It shows clearly and faithfully the changes of the states in Central Europe in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte and is also a contribution to the secularization of geography. The " story ... the natural changes ... " which established the principle of timeliness in turning away from the catastrophe theory ( Kataklysmentheorie ) and paved the way for the science of geology. As a further independent author of the actuality principle applies James Hutton in Scotland. Charles Lyell, who is widely viewed as a developer of uniformity and generally helped to recognize him, this was independent of Hoff, but later realized the priority Hoffs. Hoff served as a court official in cooperation with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1817-1820 reorganization of the University of Jena and, after the death of the childless Duke of Gotha -Altenburg, the complicated inheritance regulations and prevented this dispersal of the rich scientific collections and art collections in Gotha of which he took over in 1832. From 1829 he headed the Oberkonsistorialpräsidium in Gotha.

Works

• The Teutsche Empire before the French Revolution, and after the peace of Luneville. 2 parts; Gotha: Perthes 1801 and 1805.
• History of proven by tradition natural variations in the earth's surface 5 volumes; Gotha: Perthes in 1822; 1824; 1834; posthumously in 1840; 1841.
• Annals of my life: The diaries of the Gotha geologists and government officials Karl Ernst Adolf von Hoff; From 1771 to 1837. Weimar Publishing Company, 2012. ISBN 3-941830-21- X.