Christian Leopold Freiherr von Buch (* April 26th 1774 in Stolpe (Brandenburg), † March 4th 1853 in Berlin) was a German geologist and is remembered as one of the most important contributors to geology in the first half of the nineteenth century.

He studied together with Alexander von Humboldt under Abraham Gottlob Werner and travelled widely afterwards. His scientific interest was devoted to a broad spectrum of geological topics: volcanism, fossils, stratigraphy and more. His most remembered accomplishment is the scientific definition of the jurassic system.

The German Geological Society (DGG) named its Leopold-von-Buch-Plakette after him.

• Note regarding personal names: Freiherr is a title, usually translated Baron, not a first or middle name.

Books

• C. L. v. Buch, "Über den Jur in Deutschland", 1839