German businessman, planter and plant collector in Mexico. Sartorius was born in Gunderhausen near Darmstadt and was educated at the University of Giessen. He was appointed in 1819 to a professorship in Wetzlar, but fled Germany around 1824 on account of political disturbances. Taking refuge in Mexico he changed his name to Carlos and enjoyed some success in the mining industry near Zacualpan and Huautla in Mexico State.

In 1830 he bought some land at Mirador, at the foot of the Orizaba mountain chain, thereafter dedicating himself to its cultivation and to collecting plants in the area. He amassed large numbers of plants and some animals (many of them with his son, Florentin), which he left to the Smithsonian Institution. As well as farming the land, in particular growing sugar cane, Sartorious ran a distillery and served as a gracious host to many travellers in Mexico, including the Danish botanist Frederik Liebmann (1813-1856) and German plant collector Karl Hartweg (1812-1871).

Sartorius spent one more period in Darmstadt, from 1846-1852, during which time he wrote extensively on his adopted home, even encouraging mass emigration to Mexico. Returning to Hacienda El Mirador in 1852, he spent the rest of his days there. Parts of his collection also went to Berlin and Kew Gardens in London.

Sources:
Anon., 1871, Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France, 18(2): 238
O.A. Flores-Villela, H.M. Smith and D. Chiszar, 2004, "The History of Herpetological Exploration in Mexico", Bonner zoologische Beiträge, 52(3-4): 315
W.B. Hemsley, in F.D. Godman and O. Salvin (editors), 1888, Biologia Centrali-Americana, 4: 123.