Johann Matthäus Bechstein (1757–1822)

German forestry scientist, ornithologist, and pedagogue. Taught natural history at the Salzmann educational establishment, Schnepfenthal near Gotha, 1785–94. Founded and ran a forestry academy near Waltershausen, 1795–9. Director of the academy for forestry and gamekeeping, Dreißigacker near Meiningen. Authority on caged birds, their diseases and reproduction.