David Heinrich Hoppe

1760 Hanover - 1846 Regensburg, Bavaria

Hoppe was a German pharmacist, botanist, entomologist and physician. He is remembered for his contributions to the study of alpine flora.

He is credited with describing and naming more than 200 plant species. Among his written efforts is this work on the flora of Regensburg, entitled 'Ectypa plantarum ratisbonensium - or, Impressions of those plants which grow wild around Regensburg' published in 1787 - 1793.

In May 1790, Hoppe founded the Regenburgische Botanische Gesellschaft (Regensburg Botanical Society), the first botanical society in Bavaria, and currently the world's oldest surviving botanical society.

Well-known members included Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt and Justus von Liebig.

He became an elected member of the Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in 1820. The plant genus Hoppea from the family Gentianaceae is named after him.

Source: Biodiversity library