Anton Handlirsch

Dornbacher Friedhof - Anton Handlirsch

Anton HandlirschorAnton Peter Josef Handlirsch(20 January 1865,Vienna– 28 August 1935, Vienna) was anAustrianentomologist.He worked on many groups includingHemiptera,HymenopteraandNeuroptera.His most significant work was in the study of fossil insects.

Anton was born to Peter (1831–1873) and Rosina Handlirsch (born 1841). His father worked as acookof theSchwarzenbergfamily. HissurnameHandlirsch came fromCzech:handlíř"merchant".He went to study at the Gymnasium in Vienna in 1875. Although he began to show an interest in zoology, his father wished that he obtain a degree in pharmacy. Anton obtained a master's degree in pharmacy in 1885. After working for a while as apharmacist,Anton and his brother Adam met the entomologistFriedrich Moritz Brauerand Anton later became an assistant to him in the department of entomology of theNatural History Museum of Viennain 1892. In the same year he married Martha Allounek. He became the director of this department in 1922, a function which he held until his retirement. He specialised in theHymenopteraand theHemiptera,his work concerning theevolutionof these and other insects. His principal work, which appeared between 1906 and 1908, was on insect fossils and he was the founder of insectpalaeontology.TheUniversity of Grazgave him the title ofDoctor of Sciencehonoris causaand he was made a member of theAcademy of Science of Vienna.He is best known forDie Fossilen Insekten(1906–1908) – 1,433 pages and 51 plates – and his contributions to the third volume ofChristoph Schröder'sHandbuch der Entomologie(1920–1925) – 1,201 pages with 1,040 figures.

Handlirsch's fossil collection is mostly in theNaturhistorisches Museum in Vienna.Other parts are in theErnst-Moritz-UniversitätinGreifswald.

Sources

• Guido Nonveiller(2001).Pioneers of the Research on the Insects of Dalmatia.Croatian Natural History Museum (Zagreb): 390 p.
• Evenhuis, N. L.1997Litteratura taxonomica dipterorum (1758-1930)Leiden, Backhuys.