He was born on the 5th September 1808 in Darmstadt, Germany.

Becker wrote widely on scientific subjects and illustrated various works by Mueller, McCoy and others. He worked as lithographer in Frankfurt from 1828; apparently qualified as a doctor of philosophy; served for a time as an officer in a rifle company; Rio de Janeiro 1848-50; arrived Launceston 10th March 1851; painted miniatures 1851-52; gold digging in Bendigo 1852-54; meteorological observations and sketches 1852-54; illustrated works by Ferdinand von Mueller and Frederick McCoy. Designed the prize medal for the Victorian Exhibition of 1854.

He was appointed to the VEE at an Ordinary meeting of the Exploration Committee held on Friday, 13 July 1860, as Artist and Naturalist and Geographer on a salary of £300 p.a.

He died on 29th April 1861 at Koorliatto Waterhole, Bulloo Downs.

At an ordinary meeting of the Royal Society of Victoria in Melbourne, held on Monday, 8 July 1861, Dr Mueller moved:

That this meeting records its profound grief in the great loss sustained by the Society in the death of Dr Ludwig Becker, one of its earliest, most enthusiastic, ingenuous, and self-denying members, who with three of his companions, Messrs Patten, Stone and Purcell, sank on the field of honour: and that this meeting manifests its deepest solicitude for the safety and success of Mr Burke, Mr Wills and their brave companions: and that the Royal Society expresses its gratful recognition hiterto rendered by Mr Wright and all the members of the expedition and award its special thanks to Mr Brahe for his admirable maintenance of the depot at Cooper's Creek under most trying circumstances, and for his readiness to co-operate with Mr Howitt in the arduous task of affording relief to the Victorian Expedition.