Leopold Loeske

Leopold Loeske (24 October 1865, Hohensalza – 29 March 1935, Bad Harzburg) was a German watchmaker and amateur bryologist.

A skilled watchmaker, he was self-taught as a bryologist, collecting moss specimens in Germany, Switzerland and the French Alps during his career. Following World War I, he spent eight years working as a correspondent for a commercial institution due to financial struggles. He joined the British Bryological Society in 1934.

He died at Bad Harzburg while on a collection excursion in the Harz Mountains.

The moss genera Loeskeobryum (M.Fleisch. ex Broth. 1925) and Loeskypnum (H.K.G.Paul, 1916) are both named in his honor.

Published works He was the author of 70 published works, including a highly regarded monograph on European Grimmiaceae, "Monographie der europäischen Grimmiaceen" (1930).

Loeske was editor of the bryological journal, Bryologische Zeitschrift.