Gustave Karl Wilhelm Hermann (Hermann) Karsten (1817–1908)

German botanist and geologist. Studied medicine and natural science in Berlin and Greifswald; made two research voyages to the northern part of South America, having been recommended by Alexander von Humboldt, 1844–7 and 1848–56. Taught from 1856 at the agricultural institute, Berlin; founded a physiology laboratory, 1865. In 1868, became professor of plant physiology, University of Vienna, but left in 1872, because of student opposition. Thereafter, taught privately in Basel, then Berlin. Wrote on the flora and geology of South America, plant physiology, and pharmaceutical botany.