Carl Semper

Carl Gottfried Semper (July 6, 1832, Altona, Duchy of Holstein – May 29, 1893, Würzburg) was a German ethnologist and animal ecologist.

Semper attended the Hanover Polytechnic from 1851 to 1854 and achieved a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Würzburg in 1856.

[1] He traveled to the Philippines and Palau two years later, staying in the region until 1865 in association with Museum Godeffroy.

Semper published several works detailing his observations and experiences among Pacific peoples.

His work in Palau is especially noted as comprising one of the very few reliable accounts of cultural practices that are today severely diminished by Westernization.