Dietrich Lange

Dietrich Lange (June 2, 1863-November 19, 1940) was born Johann Dietrich Lange in Bonstorf, Germany, and he moved with his family to Nicollet, Minnesota when he was 18 years old. He began his teaching career in 1881 in Nicollet County but soon moved to St. Paul to teach in the public schools there. Lange was the superintendent of St. Paul pubic schools from 1914-1916, and after that, he held the principal position at the Mechanics Art High School from 1916-1939. He served as the nature study supervisor for St. Paul public schools at the turn of the century and as the nature study director during the last year of his life.

In addition to his teaching career, Lange wrote and lectured about nature conservation and the wilderness. He was a great advocate for the boy scouts movement, including boy scouts in his fiction. Not only did Lange write fiction books, but he also wrote nonfiction. Several of his books feature Midwestern birds, such as Our Native Birds and Birds of the Midwest. Some of his other works include On the Trail of the Sioux, Good Times in the Woods, and In the Great Wild North.

More information on Dietrich Lange from the Minnesota Historical Society.