Born 1945. Cand. scient. in Biology, Copenhagen 1970. Phil. dr., Uppsala 1985. Dr. Scient., Copenhagen 1992.
Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen 1970-1993. Professor at the Natural History Museum of Denmark 1993-2015. Then Professor Emeritus.
Fieldwork in Ethiopia in 32 periods 1970-2018. In Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania in 18 periods 1970-2014. In Sudan and South Sudan 1980-1985. In Somalia 1987.
Current research interests: (1) Flora and vegetation on the Horn of Africa (Biodiversity, plant geography, and vegetation, especially woody vegetation). (2) Classification of Urticaceae. (3) The history and significance of botanical collections; botanical nomenclature in general.
