Career
He received his education at the teaching seminar in Neuzelle (1855-1858), afterwards working as a school teacher in Arnswalde (1859 to 1867) and Neuruppin (1867 to 1899). Following retirement from teaching he settled in Berlin. In 1917 he was awarded with the title of professor
During World World War II his herbarium of 30,000 items was destroyed in the midst of the bombing of Berlin (1943).
The genus Warnstorfia was named in his honor by bryologist Leopold Loeske (1865-1935).
