Lumholtz, Carl Sofus (1851 - 1922)

The Norwegian theologian, naturalist, anthropologist and explorer Carl Lumholtz spent only four years in Queensland from 1880. First based at Gracemere, he travelled in western Queensland, then to the Valley of Lagoons and finally to the Herbert River area of northern Queensland where he spent long periods travelling, camping and hunting with the Aborigines, in many cases with groups previously untouched by white people.

He collected four new species of mammal including Dendrolagus lumholtzii, a Tree Kangaroo, and Pseudocheiris herbertensis, the — Herbert River Ringtail Possum. His account of his travels, Among Cannibals, contains detailed observations of Aboriginal life. Later he became important as an anthropologist in Mexico and Arizona, then as explorer, naturalist and anthropologist in two years’ travel in Borneo. The Lumholtz National Park in the Herbert River area, including Wallaman Falls; it is a fitting memorial to him.

LUMHOLTZ, C. (1889) Among Cannibals. J. Murray, London. (Republished Australia 1980, Caliban Books)

Source: Extracted from: J.W. CRIBB, The Queensland Naturalist, Vol.44, Nos.1-3, 2006