DIEFFENBACH, ERNST (1811-55) was the son of a Lutheran clergyman and professor, and was born at Giessen in Germany. Educated there, he entered upon a medical course but became involved in students' political demonstrations and fled to Zurich, in Switzerland. There he graduated M.D. in 1835. Shortly afterwards, owing to pressure from the Austrian government, he had to leave Switzerland and take refuge in London. He made a rather precarious living for some years, contributing to medical and scientific journals, teaching German and acting as a prosector in Guy's Hospital, and for a while as doctor to a factory in London. In 1837, through the instrumentality of Liebig, Dieffenbach's prosecution was struck out. Licensed to return to Germany for a limited period, he maintained himself by translating English works into German for publication. In 1839 he was appointed surgeon and naturalist to the New Zealand Company, and sailed in the Tory for this country. Dieffenbach made some important journeys into the interior, including one to Tongariro, Taupo, Waikato and Whaingaroa, and he made the first ascent of Mount Egmont. He also visited the Chatham islands. With his reports to the New Zealand Company he sent full collections in all branches of natural history. His work for the Company being completed in 1840, he offered his services to the Government to make a scientific exploration of both islands, receiving only his travelling expenses. Governor Gipps was unable to sanction the expenditure from the revenues of New South Wales, and Dieffenbach returned in Oct 1841 to England, where he published his report on the Chatham islands in the New Zealand Journal. His report on natural history and the natives appeared in John Ward's supplementary information; and his book Travels in New Zealand was published in 1843. He also contributed to the British Association in 1845 a report on New Zealand geology. In 1843 he returned to Giessen, and two years later he was sent to England by Liebig to advertise the use of artificial manure. On this occasion he had an interview with Lord Stanley in the hope of getting further employment in New Zealand. He was offered a scientific exploration on the west coast of South America, but declined for family reasons.

After the revolution of 1848 Dieffenbach edited a Liberal newspaper and was offered a seat in the German parliament, but declined. In 1849 he was licensed to teach at Giessen and in the following year appointed supernumerary professor of geology. He died at Giessen in Oct 1855.

G.B.O.P. 1842/569; N.Z.C. reports; E. J. Wakefield; Dieffenbach, op. cit; N.Z. Gazette (newspaper), Aug 1840; Ausland 1874, No. 4 (Ernst Dieffenbach der Erforscher Neu-Seelands); Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, vol v, 120.

Reference: Volume 1, page 120

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