Ivan Gams was born near the town of Slovenj Gradec and studied geography, ethnography, and national history at the Ljubljana University. Soon after the promotion for doctor of science he was engaged at the Karst Research Institute at Postojna as a researcher. In 1966 he was elected professor at the Geographical Department of the Ljubljana Philosophical Faculty. He was the first to teach the Geography of karst and beside karst he lectured different subjects of physical geography to the end of his active life. In the karstological sphere Gams held numerous leading positions. It is worth to mention that he was the instigator of the foundation of the International Union of Speleology during the 4th international congress in Slovenia 1965. He was a member of the Board of this organisation, member of its commissions, president of the Slovene caving organization, and a member of other professional societies.