Karl von Scherzer
Karl Ritter von Scherzer (sometimes written Carl; 1 May 1821 in
Biography
He began his working life as a printer. After inheriting a fortune, Scherzer was able to travel extensively.
He took an active part in the
After returning to Vienna, Scherzer, with the support of Archduke Maximilian, became a member of a scientific expedition traveling via the frigate Novara around the world. From that expedition he brought back enough coca leaves that Albert Niemann subsequently isolated cocaine.[1]
After returning in 1859, Scherzer was appointed as a councillor of the board of trade, held an office in the bureau of foreign relations, and was tasked with compiling the commercial statistics of the empire. As a reward for his publications, Scherzer was knighted in 1866. During 1869 he was the leader of an expedition to eastern Asia.
Afterwards he served as a diplomatic consul in several places, including Smyrna (today's İzmir). In 1886 Scherzer retired.
Books
- Reisen in Nordamerika in den Jahren 1852 und 1853. (Travels in North America during 1852 and 1853), 3 parts, Arnold, Leipzig, 1854. Written together with Moritz Wagner.
- Las Historias del origen de los Indios de Guatemala, par el R. P. F. Francisco Ximenes. Vienna, 1856. Copy of the Spanish translation of the Popol Vuh manuscript (more details).
- Wanderungen Durch die Mittel-Amerikanischen Freistaaten Nicaragua, Honduras und San Salvador ("Travels through Central American States of Nicaragua, Honduras and San Salvador"), Braunschweig George Westermann, 1857. Details of the 1852 - 1855 expedition.
- Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde, in den Jahren 1857 - 1859 ("Narrative of the circumnavigation of the globe by the Austrian frigate Novarra"), Vienna, 1861 - 1862, three volumes, with illustrations. First English edition by London Saunders, Otley, And Co. 1861.
- Aus dem Natur- und Völkerleben im tropischen Amerika. ("About the nature and the life of people in tropic America"), Leipzig, Wigand Verlag, 1864.
- Statistisch-commerzielle Ergebnisse einer Reise um die Erde, unternommen an Bord der österreichischen Fregatte Novara in den Jahren 1857-1859. ("Statistical and commercial results of the circumnaviagation of the globe, written on the board of Austrian frigate Novara during 1857-1859"), F.A. Brockhaus, Leipzig 1867.
- Fachmannische Berichte über die Osterreichische-Ungarische Expedition nach Siam, China und Japan (1868-1871) ("Scholarly report about the Austro-Hungarian expedition to Siam, China and Japan (1868-1871)"), Stuttgart, Verlag von Julius Maier, 1872.
- Smyrna ("Smyrna"), Vienna, 1873. A monograph about the city.
- Das wirthschaftliche Leben der Völker. Ein Handbuch über Production und Consum. ("Economic life of nations. Handbook of production and consumption."), Leipzig, Dürr, 1885.
Notes
References
- PMID 11895133.
Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1900). . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.