Otto Volger

Georg Heinrich Otto Volger (30 January 1822 – 18 October 1897) was a German geologist from Lüneburg. He was the founder and first chairman of the Freies Deutsches Hochstift, which he led from 1859 to 1882.

Life

Volger was born to , a teacher and school director in Lüneburg, and his wife Rosalie Franziska, on 30 January 1822. After attending the Johanneum gymnasium, Volger began studying law at the University of Göttingen in 1842, but changed in 1843 to study natural sciences. Volger obtained his PhD in geology from Gottingen in 1845. Volger was a member of the Corps Hannovera Göttingen during his studies.

Volger was a supporter of the German revolutions of 1848–1849, and was the president of the Democratic Club of Göttingen. In early 1849, Volger was forced to flee Germany to Switzerland after an investigation was opened against him following a violent riot at Plesse Castle.