Römer, August

Natural scientist, ornithologist, curator

born: 26.10.1825 in Wiesbaden

died: 29.04.1899 in Wiesbaden

Römer began an apprenticeship as a taxidermist at the age of 14 at the Nassau Society for Natural History. In 1842, he went to the Natural History Museum in Leiden for further training. After his return to Wiesbaden in 1843, he was given the position of curator. In 1848 he undertook study trips to important German museums.

Römer was intensively involved in observing nature and collected plants, minerals, conchylia and fossils, especially from the Mosbach sands. Römer made a name for himself in the field of field ornithology. He was considered to be one of the most knowledgeable ornithologists who had studied birds in Nassau since the middle of the 19th century. As a result of his research, he published a "Verzeichniss der Säugethiere und Vögel des Herzogthums Nassau" in 1863, in which he described 258 species. In 1869, Römer also became head of the meteorological station in Wiesbaden. He also made a name for himself in this field with numerous publications in the Jahrbücher des Nassauischen Vereins für Naturkunde. In addition, he organized the large library of the Nassauischer Verein für Naturkunde. A printed catalog was published in 1882.

The Prussian government awarded him the rank and title of curator in 1886. He was awarded the 4th class of the Order of the Crown for his services. Römer was buried in the North Cemetery. He bequeathed his extensive natural history collection to the Wiesbaden Museum.