Richtofen, Baron Ferdinand von (1833-1905), a German geologist and geographer, pioneered in the study of geomorphology (land forms). He exerted a major influence on present-day geography. His seven-volume work, China: The Results of Personal Journeys (1877-1912), made him famous as a scientific traveler. Richtofen was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, on May 5, 1833. He became interested in geography after training and working in geology. He taught geography at the universities of Bonn, Leipzig, and Berlin. He died on Oct. 6, 1905.