Foelsche, Paul H.M. (1831 - 1914)

Born in Moorburg, Germany, on 30 March 1831, died in Darwin, Northern Territory, on 31 January 1914.

Paul Foelsche headed for Victoria's goldfields after arriving in Port Adelaide from Germany in 1854. He didn't succede with gold.

He joined the South Australian police on his return, eventually transferring to the Northern Territory, where he was first Inspector of Police, located at Palmerston for many years.

As well as being first police officer, he was also the Territory's first photographer. By the mid 1870's his photography was recieving much attebtion. His images were in demand for international exhibitions and he'd begun winning awards. Many wonder how he kept his glass negatives free from the ravages of heat and humidity.

He also collected in the Territory, sending material to F.Mueller. These collections are now in MEL.

Source: extracted from: A.E.Orchard (1999) A History of Systematic Botany in Australia, in Flora of Australia Vol.1, 2nd ed., ABRS. [consult for source references]
Australian Geographic, Sept 2005, p.29
Portrait Photo: 1). Maiden, J.H. (1921) Records of Australian Botanists, J. Proc. Roy. Soc. NSW, Vol. LV, Plate VIII
2). Australian Geographic, Sept 2005, p.29

Collecting localities for 'Foelsche, P.H.M.' from AVH (2021)

Data from 178 specimens