Carl August Wilhelm Schwacke (1848–1904) was a German botanist, explorer and naturalist.
Born at Alfeld, near Hannover, Germany, Schwacke studied Natural Sciences at the University of Göttingen and Bonn, specializing in botany after graduation.
He emigrated to Brazil in 1873 and in March 1874 he was hired as a travelling naturalist ("Naturalista viajante") by the botanical department of the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro.
With the help of students, in numerous botanical excursions he introduced into the course as a regular activity, Schwacke was able to found a herbarium in 1892.
In 1986 his collection was incorporated into the central herbarium (organized by José Badini) at the Federal University of Ouro Preto.