Ludwig Becker (1808-1861), was an artist, naturalist and explorer. He was born in Germany and trained as an artist there, and after arriving in Tasmania in 1851 he settled in Melbourne. Once described as 'one of those universal geniuses who can do anything', Becker was a superb draughtsman and a knowledgeable geologist and naturalist. In 1860 he was asked to join Robert O'Hara Burke's expedition from Victoria to the Gulf of Carpentaria, to collect specimens, and make maps and illustrations of the journey. Faithful to these instructions to the last, he died on the way, suffering from scurvy and dysentery.