Educated at Leipzig and Berlin, he became extraordinary professor in 1883 and ordinary professor in 1892 of Egyptology in the University of Berlin; in 1885 he was appointed director of the Egyptian department of the royal museum.
He was educated at Leipzig and Berlin. He became extraordinary professor in 1883 in the University of Berlin. He became ordinary professor in 1892 of Egyptology in the University of Berlin. He was appointed director of the Egyptian department of the royal museum. This was in 1885.