Hermann von Ihering (1850–1930)

German naturalist and physician. Studied in Gießen, Leipzig, Berlin, and Göttingen; MD, Göttingen, 1873. DPhil. in geology and zoology and habilitated, Erlangen, 1876. Privat-dozent in zoology, Leipzig, 1878. Emigrated to Brazil in 1880; practised medicine in Taquara do Mundo Novo, Rio Grande do Sul. Travelling naturalist, National Museum, Rio de Janeiro, 1883. A founder and director of the zoological section of the São Paulo State Museum, 1887; director, 1893; lifetime officer of the museum, 1895. After retiring in 1916 without a pension, and the subsequent failure of a project to start a museum in Florianópolis, returned to Germany in 1920. Honorary professor of zoology and palaeontology, Gießen, 1926. His main interest was in zoogeography.