Schinz, Heinrich Rudolf

Heinrich Rudolf Schinz (1777 - 1861) was a Swiss physician and naturalist. He studied medicine and practiced in Zurich. He developed a passionate interest in the natural world and in 1833 became professor of natural history at the university of Zurich. He was curator of the natural history society of Zurich and authored many important zoological works. Karl Joseph Brodtmann lithographed his fine illustrations of fish, birds, reptiles and mammals. They are some of the best illustrations of animals ever made.