The German naturalist and Russian scientist gained a degree in botany in Berlin, but failed to find a job in Germany. In search of a better life, he left for Russia. There, he took part in the second expedition of Vitus Bering to Kamchatka and described the flora and fauna of the regions that he visited. The crowning achievement of his hard work lay in discovery of an unknown before animal – sea cow, which was named in honor of him later. This mammal sirenian turned out to be so tasty that it outlived its discoverer by just 20 years, as it was hunted to extinction.