Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 25 March 1891, page 5


DEATH OF DR. SCHOMBURGK.

ADELAIDE, Tuesday.

Dr. R. Schomburgk, dircctor of the Botanic gardens, who has not enjoyed good health during the past nine months, died this morn-ing at the age of 80 years. Recently Drs. Gardner and Marten performed an operation on him, which furnished temporary relief ; but he expired somewhat suddenly this morning in the arms of his son, Mr. Otto Schomburgk while in the act of dressing.

The deceased had attained a world-wide reputation as a botanist, second only to that of Baron Von Mueller. In private life he was beloved, and he had received a legion of honours from different learned so- cieties throughout the world.

The doctor was a son of the late Rev. J. F.

L. Schomburgk, of the Lutheran persuasion, and was born in Fribault, Saxony, in 1811. Making a special study of botany, he became connected with the Imperial-gardens at Pots- dam, and in order to further cultivate his taste for this branch ot science he sought the tuition of his famous brother Sir Robert, under whose supervision he was greatly aided in obtaining tbat knowledge which has proved so acceptable to this colony.

Sir Robert had already distinguished himself in the world of travel, more especially in con-nection with Baron Von Humboldt, and in one of his expeditions with his brother Richard went to British Guiana in 1840, when Sir Robert undertook the demarcation of the boundaries of that colony. After his return to the fatherland he took an active part in political agitation for a time, and was eventually compelled to leave the country. He left with his brother Otto, and came to South Australia. In 1865 Otto Schomburgk died, and in the following year the surviving brother, then curator of the Gawler Museum, accepted the director-ship of the Botanic-gardens. Many acres have been added to the gardens by the doctor, and they have been transformed into one of the most beautiful spots in and around Ade-laide.

His interest in agriculture generally was such that the Government had appointed him a member of the newly-formed Bureau ot Agriculture._