Karl Ernst Von Baer

Karl Ernst Von Baer, a Russian naturalist, born in Esthonia, Feb. 12, 17i>2. He studied at Dorpat and Wurzburg, and in 1819 became professor of zoology in the university of Ko-nigsberg, where he organized the zoological museum. In 1834 he was called to St. Petersburg to become the librarian of the academy and one of its most prominent members. In 1837, by order of the czar, he conducted scientific explorations on the northern shores of Russia and made valuable descriptions of the plants and animals. He has written numerous treatises upon zoology and botany, especially those of northern Russia.

Karl Ferdinand Becker

Karl Ferdinand Becker, a German philologist, born at Liser, near Treves, April 14,1775, died at Offenbach, Sept. 5, 1849. He was educated at Hildesheim, taught there from 1794 to 1799, subsequently studied and practised medicine, and was a surgeon in the army. In 1823 he established a school at Offenbach. In his writings on comparative philology he followed logical and philosophical principles, in opposition to the school of philologists who base their investigations chiefly upon historical and ethnological development. His grammars and manuals of the German language passed through many editions.

Karl Ferdinand Sohn

Karl Ferdinand Sohn, a German painter, born in Berlin, Dec. 10, 1805, died in Cologne, Nov. 25, 1867. He studied at the academy of Berlin and under Schadow, whom he accompanied to Dusseldorf and to Italy. He was professor at the academy of Dusseldorf from 1838 to 1855, and became one of the leaders of the Dusseldorf school. He especially excelled in the rich coloring of female figures, and in idealized portraits of ladies. His works include "Rinaldo and Armida" (1827); "Hylas captured by Nymphs" (1829); "Diana in her Bath" (1833); "The Two Leonoras," after Goethe's Tasso (1834); "Romeo and Juliet" (183C); "The Sisters" (1843); "Vanitas" (1844); "The Lute Player" (1848); "The Four Seasons" (1851); and "Loreley" (1853). - His son Paul Eduard Richard (born in 1834) excels in genre and portrait painting. His nephew and son-in-law Wilhelm (born in 1830) has executed good genre pictures, including "A Delicate Question" (1864), and "The Consultation with a Lawyer" (1866).

Karl Friedrich Bahrdt

Karl Friedrich Bahrdt, a German theologian, born at Bischofswerda, Aug. 25, 1741, died in Halle, April 23, 1792. He was a professor of theology, but his violent attacks upon the clergy and orthodoxy, and his adventurous and not very reputable life, involved him in perpetual difficulties; and for a year he was a prisoner of state in the Prussian fortress of Magdeburg, where he wrote his autobiography (4 vols., Berlin, 1790). His writings enjoyed a transient popularity, especially Briefe uber die Bibel im Volkston. He denied the authenticity of miracles, and was a severe critic of the Scriptures. Kotzebue published Dr. Bahrdt rait der eisernen Stirn.