Josef Moser (26 March 1861, in Ried im Innkreis – 3 March 1944) was an Austrian priest who gained fame as an enthusiastic entomologist. He studied for the priesthood in Linz, and became a priest in Zell.
Even as a seminarian, Moser joined the Association for Natural History, and in 1901 he joined the Upper Austrian Museum Association. In his spare time, he built up a collection of 35,310 beetles and 13,269 butterflies, "which was the largest of its kind in the country and contained rare specimens from all five parts of the world."[1] After his death, Moser's collection of 250 stores and his extensive specialist library were acquired by the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum.[1]
References
- 1.[1.2]"Vereinsbericht" [Association report] (PDF). Jahrbuch des Oberösterreichischen Musealvereines (Obituary) (in German). Vol. 92. Linz, Austria: Oberösterreichischer Musealverein [Upper Austrian Museum Association]. 1947. p. 7. Alternate link.