| Partsch, Paul Ritter von born 11th June 1791, Vienna, died 3rd October 1856, Vienna Austrian mineralogist and geologist, head and custodian of the court mineralogical department in Vienna. He studied at secondary military academy, later at Löwenburg monastery in Vienna. After finishing his education there he began to study law at the Vienna University but was more interested in natural science, especially botany, mineralogy, chemistry and economy. In 1814, he left for Göttweig in Lower Austria to devote his time to the study of agriculture and botany. He investigated the relations between plants, soil and rocks, exploiting his knowledge of mineralogy and petrography. In 1815, he returned to Vienna, where he concentrated on mineralogy and accumulated one of the largest mineral collections in Vienna being active as helper in the court mineralogical department. He went on scientific and collecting missions and improved his knowledge at many European universities. He studied geology of Dalmatia and worked on the geological map of Lower Austria. In 1835, he was promoted to the position of custodian of collections and, in 1851, became head of the court mineralogical department. He concentrated mainly on mineralogy and geology of Lower Austria, especially the environs of Vienna. Among his important publications are 'Kurze Übersicht der im k. k. Hof - Mineralienkabinet zu Wien zur Schau gestelten acht Sammlungen' (1843), 'Die Mineraliensammlung im k. k. Hof - Mineralienkabinet zu Wien' (1843), 'Die Meteoriten oder vom Himmel gefallenen Steine und Eisenmassen im k. k. Hof - Mineralienkabinet zu Wien' (1843). Towards the end of his life he finally experienced recognition of his work having been appointed member of the Academy of Sciences and was also awarded various prizes.
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