Johann Jakob von Tschudi
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox person
Johann Jakob von Tschudi (25 July 1818 – 8 October 1889) was a Swiss naturalist, explorer, and diplomat. He is known for his travels in South America, his scientific contributions to zoology and anthropology, and his diplomatic service for Switzerland.
Early life and education
Tschudi was born in Glarus to Johann Jakob Tschudi, a merchant, and Anna Maria Zwicky.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> He studied natural sciences and medicine at the universities of Neuchâtel, Leiden, and Paris.
Exploration and scientific work
In 1838, Tschudi travelled to Peru, where he remained for five years exploring and collecting plants in the Andes. He moved to Vienna in 1843. In 1845, he described 18 new species of South American reptiles.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Between 1857 and 1859, he visited Brazil and other countries in South America.
Tschudi wrote a textbook on Peru titled Peruvian Antiquities in which he recorded various aspects of Peruvian life and history.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the book, he explained the various skull angles of Peruvians in the context of the Angle of Camper. Tschudi claimed that Camper's facial angles were an "important angle in anthropology", whose "greater or less opening indicates the intellectual superiority of a race, and, up to a certain point, of individuals".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He included engravings of a mummified foetus found near Tarma to argue that the cranial shape of the Huancas was not the result of cultural practices after birth.
Diplomatic career
In 1860, Tschudi was appointed Swiss ambassador to Brazil, a position he held until 1868. During this period, he continued to explore the country and collected plants for the museums of Neuchâtel, Glarus, and Freiburg. In 1868, he was appointed Swiss minister to Vienna.
Legacy
Tschudi is commemorated in the scientific names of several animals, including a species of venomous South American coral snake, Micrurus tschudii,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> the montane guinea pig (Cavia tschudii), and the Tschudi's yellow-shouldered bat. Birds named after him include the Tschudi's tapaculo, Tschudi's nightjar, and the Tschudi's woodcreeper.
Works
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite journal
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
He also co-edited, with Mariano Eduardo de Rivero y Ustáriz: