Paul Bartsch (1871-1960) taught biological science and zoology at The George Washington University (GW) from 1899 to 1939 and became a professor emeritus in 1937 through 1960. He was a zoologist who specialized in mollusks. Bartsch held many important positions throughout his life including, professor emeritus at GW and curator of the mollusks division of the US National Museum.

Paul Bartsch was born in Silesia, Germany (currently Poland) in 1871. The Bartsch family immigrated to the United States in the 1880s, and settled down in Burlington, Iowa. Paul enrolled in sciences classes at the State University of Iowa; however, before completing his degree he left Iowa to work under William H. Dall, the honorary curator of the Division of Mollusks at the United States National Museum in Washington, DC. In 1914, Bartsch became the curator of the Division of Mollusks. His work at the Smithsonian led to many expeditions including those to the Philippines, Cuba, and the West Indies. He retired from his Smithsonian position in 1946.

While at the Smithsonian, Bartsch continued his research work on mollusks in addition to teaching biology, zoology, and histology to university students. Bartsch taught histology in the medical school at Howard University and eventually became director of the Histological and Physiological laboratory, a position that lasted thirty-seven years. Furthermore, he started teaching science and zoology at the GW in 1899 and became Professor emeritus in 1937. Bartsch continued as Professor emeritus at GW until 1960.

In addition to receiving a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa (1905), Bartsch also received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from GW in 1937.

Bartsch was also the president of numerous societies, including the Wild Flower Preservation Society (1920-1924), the Biological Society in Washington D.C. (1913-1915), and Vice President of the Washington Academy (1913-1915).

Bartsch died in 1960.

N.B. This history note was written in 2005