Missionary, b. in Graz, Styria, 7 Sept., 1717; d. in Vienna, 17
July 1791. He became a Jesuit in 1736, and twelve years later
set out for the missions of South America, where he laboured
among the Guaranis and the Abipones for eighteen years. On the
expulsion of the Jesuits from the Spanish possessions in 1767,
he returned to his native land. The Empress Maria Theresa
frequently sent for Dobrizhoffer that she might hear his
adventures from his own lips; and she is said to have taken
great pleasure in his cheerful and animated conversation. He is
the author of a work in three volumes entitled "Historia de
Abiponibus, equestri bellicosaque Paraguaina natione" etc.
(Vienna, 1783-1784), a German translation of which, by Professor
Keil of the University of Pesth, was published in Vienna the
same year. This work is of great ethnological value. In the
preface he says, "A seven years residence in the four colonies
of the Abipones has afforded me opportunities of closely
observing the manners, customs, superstitions,