Engelbert Kaempfer

Engelbert Kaempfer
Kaempfer depicted in the cartouche of a map of Japan by Matthäus Seutter based on his observations, c. 1730
Born
Engelbert Kaempfer

(1651-09-16)16 September 1651
Lemgo, Lippe, Holy Roman Empire (now Lippe, Germany)
Died2 November 1716(1716-11-02) (aged 65)
Lemgo
NationalityGerman
Other namesEngelbertus Kaempferus
Occupation(s)Naturalist, physician, explorer, writer
Notable workFlora Japonica, History of Japan

Engelbert Kaempfer (16 September 1651 – 2 November 1716) from Lemgo, was a German naturalist, physician, explorer, and writer known for his tour of Russia, Persia, India, Southeast Asia, and Japan between 1683 and 1693.

He wrote two books about his travels. Amoenitatum exoticarum, published in 1712, is important for its medical observations and the first extensive description of Japanese plants (Flora Japonica). His History of Japan, published posthumously in 1727, was the chief source of Western knowledge about the country throughout the 18th and mid-19th centuries, when it was closed to foreigners.