RUMPHIUS, GEORG EBERHARD

(1627/1628–1702)

One of the many German scientists who, like Engelbert Kaempfer, went to Asia in the service of the Dutch East Indies Company. As a servant of the company, Rumphius lived on the island of Amboina in present day Indonesia. As a biologist, he published several famous books on the flora and fauna of that island, as well as a history and a geo graphical description.