Men of the Time, eleventh edition/Burmeister, Hermann
BURMEISTER, Hermann, naturalist, was born at Stralsund, Prussia, Jan. 15, 1807. While a student of medicine at Halle, he was encouraged by Professor Nitzch to study zoology, and particularly entomology. Becoming a doctor in 1829, he made his first appearance as an author in the domain of natural history, with a "Treatise on Natural History," published at Halle in 1830. On the death of Professor Nitzch, in 1842, he succeeded him in the chair of zoology in the University of Halle. He has written numerous articles on zoological subjects in the scientific journals of Germany; several monographs in a distinct form, such as "The Natural History of the Calandra Species," published in 1837, and a "Manual of Entomology." Professor Burmeister has occupied himself in disseminating correct notions of geology among the educated classes; and with this view delivered a series of lectures, which were well attended. They were collected and published in two works, "The History of Creation," Leipsic, 1843, and "Geological Pictures of the History of the Earth and its Inhabitants," 1851, both of which were well received. During the revolutionary fervour of 1848, Professor Burmeister was sent by the city of Halle as Deputy to the National Assembly, and subsequently by the town of Leignitz to the first Prussian Chamber. He took his place on the Left, and remained until the end of the session, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to demand leave of absence, which he turned to account by two years' travel in the Brazils, and he published "The Animals of the Brazils," 1854–56. On his return to Europe he resumed his post in the University of Halle. In 1861 he resigned his chair and repaired to Buenos Ayres, where he became Director of the Museum of Natural History founded by himself, and in 1870 Curator of the newly established University of Cordova.