Background
Ratzeburg, the son of a professor at the veterinary school of the University of Berlin, was born in Berlin.
Ratzeburg, the son of a professor at the veterinary school of the University of Berlin, was born in Berlin.
He studied medicine and natural sciences in Berlin and was principally interested in botany.
He became a private lecturer at the University of Berlin in 1828. At this time, Ratzeburg was in contact with Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt. Two years later, when the Berlin Forestry School moved to Eberswalde, he became professor of natural history there at the invitation of Friedrich Wilhelm Leopold Pfeil (1783-1859).
He founded the botanic garden of forestry at Eberswalde, working there until his retirement in 1869.
He returned to Berlin where he died aged 70 years. He was notably interested in parasitic species.
From 1827 to 1834 he wrote with Johann Friedrich von Brandt Medizinische Zoologie (or Medical zoology), which was a standard work for many years.