Background
Fischer was born in Quadrath in Rhein, Westphalia.
Fischer was born in Quadrath in Rhein, Westphalia.
In 1901, while he was investigating the hypothesis that the Vikings discovered America, he accidentally discovered the long-lost map of Martin Waldseemüller, dated 1507. This map, which claims to update Ptolemy with the voyages of Amerigo Vespucci, is the first known to display the word America, which it does on the coast of Brazil. The map was purchased from its owner by the Library of Congress in 2001 for ten million dollars.
Meanwhile, Fischer had gone on to have an eminently successful career as a cartographer, publishing old maps.
After 1895, he was professor of geography and history at Stella Matutina College, Feldkirch.
In 1903-1904, and again in 1909-1910, he visited Italy, France and England as member of the Austrian Institute of Historical Studies for the purpose of cartographical research.