by Haidinger in 1864. Details of Haidinger's years as director of the Austrian geological survey were published by Haidinger's successor Franz Ritter von Hauer. There can be little or no doubt as to the scientific status that Wilhelm Haidinger achieved during the years 1850 to 1866: the "Kaiserlich-Königliche Geologische Reichsanstalt" became the epicentre of geological research of its time. Haidinger's unselfish attitude is best reflected in his motto: "Förderung der Wissenschaft, nicht Monopolisirung der Arbeit" (Advancement of science, not monopolisation of research). Political activity According to Döll (1871) Wilhelm Haidinger played a major role in the founding of the "k. k. Geographischen Gesellschaft zu Wien" (Becker, 1871 mentions how Haidinger had started the Austrian Geographical Society after the example of the famous Royal Geographical Society of London); the "Werner-Verein zur geologischen Durchforschung Mährens und Schlesiens", the "Geologischer Verein für Ungarn" in Pest, the "Società Geologica" in Milan, Italy and its successor the "Società Italiana di Scienze naturali". Haidinger remained convinced that such scientific organizations outside the official governmental societies were necessary, if not essential. In 1860 Wilhelm Haidinger read in the Wiener-Zeitung that his "k. k. Geologischer Reichsanstalt" was going to be incorporated into the "Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften". Haidinger was shocked, not only because he had to read this news in the paper, but especially because the two institutes were truly incompatible. After several months of great uncertainty the Imperial Government, the Reichsrath, decided to cancel the planned forceful unification. Thus Haidinger was able to continue his work at the Imperial Geological Survey. With considerable pride Wilhelm Haidinger related, how Emperor Franz-Josef of Austria-Hungary had visited the building of the k. k. Geologischer Reichsanstalt in Vienna on 15 February 1862. In 1866 Wilhelm Haidinger became seriously ill and asked the Government for early retirement; it was generously granted. After retirement Haidinger continued his studies at home; this time meteorites held his main interest (and several papers followed). Awards and honours Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria-Hungary bestowed great honour onto Wilhelm Haidinger: the Order of Franz Joseph and the Order of Leopold with his elevation to knighthood ("Ritter von Haidinger") on 30 July 1864. Haidinger had received from the King of Prussia on 24 January 1857 the highly coveted civil version of the Königlich Preußischer Orden "Pour le Mérite".Wilhelm Karl Ritter von Haidinger | ORDEN POUR LE MÉRITE Furthermore, the King of Bavaria bestowed the Bavarian Maximilian Order for