he studied natural sciences and agriculture at the universities of breslau and heidelberg, obtaining his doctorate at the latter institution in 1888. within the next twelve years he participated in three exploratory expeditions (1889, 1896 and 1899–1900) to kaiser-wilhelmsland (part of german new guinea). on the two later expeditions, he explored the bismarck mountains, located in the island's interior. on the third mission (1899-1900) he was made director of the "neu-guinea compagnie". some of the specimens that he collected were further examined by viktor ferdinand brotherus and paul christoph hennings.