Education
He studied at the University of Leipzig, and was professor of botany and chemistry in the University of Göttingen in 1702, and the University of Kiel in 1709.
Botanist chemist university professor
He studied at the University of Leipzig, and was professor of botany and chemistry in the University of Göttingen in 1702, and the University of Kiel in 1709.
In 1712 he went to Leiden, and was sent by the Dutch government on a scientific mission to America. He visited successively Canada, New England, Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico 1715-1724, and lived several years in Saint Eustache and Saint Lucia, returning in 1727 to Leiden. He went again to Mexico in 1744, but was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith.
He died of yellow fever a few days before his intended departure for Europe.