Friedrich Christian Lesser

Friedrich Christian Lesser (12 May 1692 – 17 September 1754) was a German Protestant pastor, naturalist and antiquarian who promoted natural theology through the study of insects, minerals, and plants which he formulated in his books Insecto-theologia (1738), Testaceo-theologia (1744) and Litho-theologie (1735).

He returned home from studies in 1715 to become a private tutor to the children of Karl Heinrich von Grossen at Kinderode and later Großwerther.

Lesser took an interest in natural theology and in his book Insecto-theologia examined how a study of insects celebrated the wisdom of the Creator.

Lesser was aware of the work of Jan Swammerdam on bees and of other scientific advances of the period.

Lesser wrote that "The vilest insect is the work of omnipotence, worthy of the highest admiration.