His work bridged the gap between religious life and scientific pursuits during a time of significant debate between theology and science.
Born in 1831 in Nykøbing Mors, Denmark, Branth faced early adversity with the loss of his mother when he was two years old.
Branth's formal education culminated in his graduation from secondary school in 1849, after which he enrolled at the University of Copenhagen to study theology.
It was also during this period that Branth developed an interest in botany, attending lectures on the subject alongside his theological studies.
During his time in North Jutland, he developed an interest in geology, studying sand and clay layering in local pits and collaborating with an Oslo professor on the origins of ice-transported moraine-blocks in the region.
This work established Branth as a leading figure in Danish lichenology, a position he maintained for the remainder of the century.
He maintained this view throughout his career, applying it to his studies of Arctic lichens from various regions including Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.
He actively participated in public religious debates, often advocating for progressive ideas such as keeping Sundays free from duties.
[2] His discussions about Darwin with his friend Otto Møller focused more on cultural and value-based concerns rather than on issues of natural theology, design, providence, or chance.