Edition of Lichtenberg’s Scientific Writings
Worked as a Professor of Physics, Became Famous as a Writer
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–1799) owes his posthumous fame to his literary qualities: he is regarded as the founder of the German-language aphorism. Yet writing was only a sideline for him, as his official position was that of professor of physics – a role he embraced wholeheartedly. Physics is truly the proper study of mankind, Lichtenberg once wrote. His contemporaries considered him a physicist of European standing. The extent to which science shaped Lichtenberg’s thinking, even influencing his style, can only be fully understood once his scientific papers are taken into account.
When Lichtenberg’s sons published a collected edition of their father’s works in 1844, they chose not to include his scientific writings. To make this part of his legacy accessible, the research centre Edition of Lichtenberg’s Scientific Writings was established by the Göttingen Academy in 1997. Meanwhile, the Lichtenberg Research Centre at the Technical University of Darmstadt is working on his belles lettres and literary works published during his lifetime. The joint aim of both research centres is to produce a historical-critical complete edition that will serve as a foundation for future generations of scholars.
To further enhance his teaching, Lichtenberg acquired a large number of scientific instruments and devices – an impressive collection that can still be viewed at specific times in the First Physics Institute of the University of Göttingen. Those interested can gain unrestricted access to Lichtenberg’s Physicalisches Cabinet online: more than 90 objects from the historical collection have been digitally photographed by order of the First Physics Institute and the Göttingen Academy. The most remarkable exhibits have been turned into interactive animations that can be rotated 360 degrees, viewed from up to five different angles, and zoomed in on.
The Göttingen research centre on the homepage of the Lichtenberg Society