Meinhard Michael Moser

Meinhard Michael Moser.
Meinhard Moser (1924–2002) was an Austrian mycologist. His work principally concerned the taxonomy, chemistry, and toxicity of gilled mushrooms (Agaricales), especially the genus Cortinarius. Moser completed his doctorate at the University of Innsbruck in 1950, then briefly worked in England. He joined Austria's Federal Forestry Research Institute in 1952, conducting research on the use of mycorrhizal fungi in reforestation. He began lecturing at Innsbruck in 1956, becoming a professor in 1964. He became the inaugural head of Austria's first Institute of Microbiology in 1972. He remained with the Institute until his retirement in 1991, and his scientific studies continued until his death in 2002. He was an influential mycologist, describing around 500 new fungal taxa and publishing several important books. In particular, his 1953 book on European mushrooms, published in English as Keys to Agarics and Boleti, saw several editions both in German and in translation.