Hans Karl Christian Andreae, analytical chemist and naturalist, studied chemistry, physics, mineralogy, petrography, geology and botany at the University of Marburg, Germany. He continued his studies in chemistry, physics and mineralogy at the University of Tübingen and was awarded a doctoral degree (cum laude) in chemistry in July 1913. His inaugural dissertation was entitled Ueber die bei nitrirung von ortho- und parazophenetol entstehenden nitrokoerper und deren derivate. He came to South Africa that same year to relieve a lung complaint and worked as an assistant analytical chemist to Dr H. W. Rudolf Marloth* in Cape Town. When World War I (1914-1918) broke out he was listed as an enemy subject and only in July 1919 was he released on parole to Cape Town. The authorities again kept an eye on him during World War II (1939-1945).

Andreae assisted Marloth also in his botanical work, collecting plants for him mainly in the Cape Province. He was, however, mainly interested in beetles. As a member of the Cape Natural History Club during 1934-1935 he was the club consultant on beetles and served on the club committee. He made a collection of South African species and in 1949 was appointed honorary curator of Coleoptera in the South African Museum, Cape Town, a position he held until his death in 1966. He had a wide knowledge of the taxonomy of South African beetles, described some new species and revised two families. His publications included papers on "South African Coccinellidae, species insertae" (Annals of the South African Museum, 1953), "The genus Anobium Thunb." (Ibid, 1953) and "A key to the species of Anisonyx..." (Annals of the Natal Museum, 1965).

In 1963 Andreae qualified to be honoured by the University of Tübingen with a renewed doctoral diploma, in recognition of his 50 years of post-doctoral work. The ceremony took place at the South African Museum only in January 1965, as the university initially did not know of his whereabouts. The plant species Askidiosperma andreaeanum (paper-sheeth restio) was named after him by N. A. Pillans*.

List of sources:

Andrea, H. K. C. Iziko biodiversity explorer. Retrieved on 22 December 2022 from http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/people/andrea-hkc/index.htm

The Cape Naturalist, 1934-1939, Vol. 1, p. 25, Club consultants; pp. 25-28, Club roll; p. 62, Committee for 1935, and Club consultants.

Gunn, M. & Codd, L. E. Botanical exploration of southern Africa. Cape Town: Balkema, 1981.

Malherbe, D. F. du T. Family register of the South African nation (3rd ed). Stellenbosch: Tegniek, 1966.

National Automated Archival Information Retrieval System (NAAIRS), at http://www.national.archives.gov.za/naairs.htm Documents relating to Andreae, HKC /Andreae, Hans Karl Christian.

National Union Catalogue, pre-1956 imprints. London: Mansell, 1968-1980.

Askidiosperma andreaeanum. SANBI. Retrieved on 22 December 2022 from http://pza.sanbi.org/askidiosperma-andreaeanum

Summers, R. F. H. A history of the South African Museum. Cape Town: Balkema, 1975.

Tribute to Dr Andreae. Southern African Museums Association Bulletin (SAMAB), 1965, Vol. 8(6), p. 201.

Compiled by: C. Plug

Last updated: 2022-12-22 11:48:09