Burmeister, Carl Hermann Conrad b. January 15, 1807; Stralsund (Pomerania), Prussia b. May 2, 1892; Buenos Aires
German geographer and explorer of Argentina.
Hermann Burmeister studied medicine at the University of Halle, where he received his doctorate in 1829. Four years later, Burmeister finished his Habilitation (postdoctoral degree) at the University of Berlin.
In 1837 he was appointed honorary professor for zoology at the University of Halle. At this point, he had already been recognized as a very successful scholarly author for his Grundriβder Naturgeschichte (Basics of Natural History), published in ten editions between 1833 and 1868; his Handbuch der Naturgeschichte (Handbook of Natural History) in two volumes, published in 1837; and his Geschichte der Schopfung (History of Creation), published in eight editions between 1843 and 1872. In 1848, Burmeister was elected as deputy of the newly created German National Assembly in Frankfurt am Main. Disappointed by the failed 1848 revolution, Burmeister asked for a sabbatical from his university and embarked on an extensive journey through South and Central America.After Alexander von Humboldt had arranged for funding from the Prussian government, Burmeister left Germany for South America in 1850. In order to carry out some paleontological research in Brazil, Burmeister traveled from Rio de Janeiro via Nova Friburgo to Lagoa Santa and visited the provinces of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. However, a broken leg prevented him from accomplishing all that he had planned for this trip. Back in Germany, Burmeister published several books about his encounters in Brazil, among them Reise nach Brasilien (Journey to Brazil, 1853); Landschaftliche Bilder Brasiliens (Landscape Pictures of Brazil, 1853); Systematische Ubersicht der Tiere Brasiliens (Systematical Overview over the Animals of Brazil, 1854-1856), in three volumes; and the Er- lduterungen zur Fauna Brasiliens (Remarks about the Fauna of Brazil, 1856).
In 1856, Burmeister returned to South America for geological and paleontological
research as well as for observations of the climate, fauna, and birds. Between 1856 and 1860, he spent most of his time in northern Argentina. However, he also went on research trips from Buenos Aires to Rosario and through the Pampas to Mendoza. In Mendoza, Burmeister spent about thirteen months in 1857—1858 in order to investigate the fauna and to take meteorological measurements. His book, Uber das Klima der Argentinischen Republik (About the Climate of the Argentinean Republic, 1861), was a direct result of this research. For about nine months, Burmeister led the life of a farmer in Parana. In June 1859, he embarked on his second big journey into the northern parts of Brazil. From Rosario, he reached Cordoba, Tucuman, and Cata- marca before he crossed the Andes into Chile. Burmeister was the first European to take this path across the Andes. In Chile, he boarded a ship bound for Europe.
Burmeister was able to correct European’s topographic knowledge about South America. His eye for detail and his excellent abstract thinking skills enabled him to produce the first comprehensive description of the physical geography of the La Plata states in his book Reise durch die La Plata-Staaten mit besonderer Rucksicht der Argentinischen Republik (Travel through the La Plata States with an Emphasis on the Argentinean Republic) in two volumes (1861). Burmeister’s extensive travels matched his extensive scope of knowledge and publications. In addition to books on paleontology and zoology, he published works on biology and climate research. Burmeister is known as the founder of the geoscientific explorations of the La Plata states and as the best specialist of the physical geography of Argentina.
Soon after his return, Burmeister finally decided to emigrate to Argentina for health reasons. In 1862, he took over management of the Museo Publico in Buenos Aires, which he transformed into one of the world’s most impressive paleontological collections.
In 1870, he established the natural science department at the University of Cordoba and recruited German academics for the university (among them was Ludwig Brackebusch). Burmeister published an uncounted number of articles in journals as well as many books. His most important and comprehensive treatment of South American geography was the Physikalische Beschreibung der Argentinischen Republik (Physical Description of the Argentinean Republic, 1875), which he dedicated to his patron and friend Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, the president of Argentina. His last expedition brought him to Patagonia in 1887. Upon his death, he received a state funeral in Argentina for his service in the geographic exploration and investigation of that country. Eight years later, a memorial made from white marble and erected in Buenos Aires at the shore of the Rio de la Plata was dedicated to Burmeister.Heinz Peter Brogiato
See also Argentina; Brackebusch, Ludwig; Humboldt, Alexander von
References and Further Reading
Henze, Dietmar. Enzyklopadie der Entdecker und Erforscher der Erde. Graz: Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt, 1978, 1:409-412.
Hermann Burmeister: Ein bedeutender Naturwissenschaftler des 19. Jahrhunderts. Stralsund 1993 (Meer und Museum; vol. 9).
Ratzel, Friedrich. “Burmeister, Carl Hermann Conrad.” Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie. Leipzig: Duncker and Humblot, 1903, 47:394-396.