Carl Christoph Vogt (1817-1895), German naturalist. Vogt published a number of notable works on physiology, geology and zoology. In 1842 he discovered the mechanism of apoptosis, programmed cell death, by studying the development of the tadpole of the midwife toad. Charles Darwin mentions his support for the theory of evolution in The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871). Vogt was also involved heavily in politics. He was a member of the German Frankfurt Parliament of 1848-9 but this led to him being destitute two years later due to his adopting socialist ideas. A refugee in Geneva, he was naturalised Genevois and elected to the National Council.