Philipp Franz Freiherr von Siebold

… lived in the former monastery of St. Martin’s in Boppard from 1847 to 1853. As a doctor and naturalist, he brought the Western knowledge of his time to Japan, primarily in the areas of medicine, geography and astronomy; in turn, he brought back extensive news about the flora, fauna, history and politics of Japan to Europe. Parts of the books about the Japanese people, their way of life and their culture were written during his time in Boppard. In his role as doctor, researcher and teacher, Dr. von Siebold was the initiator of the friendship with Japan.