Dr. Edwin Eustace Reinke (1885–1970) was a pioneering biologist whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for what would become the Highlands Biological Station. A professor of biology at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Reinke was instrumental in establishing a summer field station in Highlands, North Carolina, recognizing the region’s extraordinary ecological diversity and potential for scientific research and education.

In 1927, he brought the first group of students to the area for field-based instruction, and by 1929, he became the first Director of the newly formed Highlands Biological Station. Under his leadership, HBS quickly gained a reputation as a hub for ecological and botanical study in the southern Appalachians. His interdisciplinary approach—blending botany, zoology, and ecology—helped shape the Station’s enduring focus on integrative field science.

Dr. Reinke also made lasting contributions to the Station’s infrastructure and intellectual legacy. He donated his personal collection of books to seed what would become the E. E. Reinke Library—one of the earliest resources for scientific literature in the region. His commitment to accessible, hands-on education continues to inspire generations of scientists and naturalists who pass through the Station today.