Gotfrid Leybnits German philosopher, mathematician, logician, mechanic, physicist, lawyer, historian, linguist and inventor. Date of Birth: 01.06.1646 Country: Germany

1. Biography of Gottfried Leibniz
2. The True Problem of Logic
3. The Collegium Curiosorum
4. Alchemist, Historian, and Diplomat
5. The Calculating Machine
6. Court Historian and Founder of the Academy
7. Contributions to Mathematics and Philosophy
8. The Berlin Academy of Sciences
9. The Newton-Leibniz Controversy
10. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Gottfried Leibniz

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was a German philosopher, mathematician, logician, mechanic, physicist, lawyer, historian, linguist, and inventor. He was the first scholar of the Enlightenment era and the founder of the Berlin Academy of Sciences. Leibniz was also a foreign member of the French Academy of Sciences. He was born on June 21 (July 1), 1646, in Leipzig, Saxony, Holy Roman Empire. His mother was Catharina Schmuck and his father was Friedrich Leibnütz, a German lawyer and professor of moral philosophy. Recognizing his son's immense talent, Friedrich nurtured Gottfried's curiosity. However, Friedrich passed away when Gottfried was only seven years old, leaving behind a large personal library where Leibniz spent much of his time reading "all sorts of historical accounts." During his school years, Gottfried became deeply interested in studying the chronological treasures of Seth Kalwitz and the works of Titus Livius, which one of his teachers discovered. The teacher considered Leibniz's pursuits "inappropriate and premature," but a certain scientist and nobleman came to the boy's defense, believing that every effort should be made to support his extraordinary abilities. Gottfried was brought to the advocate, before whom the young genius demonstrated his knowledge. Satisfied, the nobleman declared that he would not relent on Leibniz's behalf until his relatives allowed the boy to visit his father's library again, which had long been off-limits to such a brilliant mind. Continuing to surpass his time, Leibniz delved into studying philosophical and theological works intended for students. At the age of ten, he had read Cicero, Pliny, Herodotus, Plato, and others. By twelve, he became proficient in Latin, and by thirteen, he revealed poetic inclinations that no one had suspected.

The True Problem of Logic

In the following year, the prodigious teenager began pondering the "true problem of logic." During his school years, he read the most advanced works on scholastic logic. His mentors grew concerned that Leibniz's knowledge would turn him into a "cunning scholastic," while Gottfried himself noted that he simply could not remain satisfied with "one-sided content." At the age of 14-15, Leibniz enrolled at the University of Leipzig, where Jakob Thomasius helped to systematize his extensive but scattered knowledge. Thomasius also introduced Leibniz to progressive ideas of the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The Collegium Curiosorum

Two years later, Gottfried began studying mathematics at the University of Jena. He joined the so-called "Collegium Curiosorum" of professors and students, switched his focus to understanding legal science, and aspired to engage in legal practice. In 1663, Leibniz obtained a bachelor's degree, and a year later, a master's degree in philosophy. At the age of 20, he possessed extensive knowledge in the field of jurisprudence, but the University of Leipzig did not grant its outstanding student a doctoral degree in law, most likely due to his young age.

Alchemist, Historian, and Diplomat

After defending his dissertation on "Complicated Legal Cases" at the University of Altdorf in 1666, Leibniz lived in Nuremberg for some time, where he worked as a hired alchemist for the Rosicrucians, conducted experiments, and served as the secretary of a mystical order. In 1666, he wrote the treatise "On the Art of Combinations" ("De arte kombinatoria") and the following year, he joined the service of the Elector of Mainz. From 1672 to 1676, Leibniz resided in Paris, where he met Nicolas Malebranche and Tschirnhaus.

The Calculating Machine

As the inventor of his own design of the calculating machine, Leibniz surpassed Pascal's version. According to a French scientist, "Leibniz's machine helped any child perform the most difficult calculations," including extracting square and cubic roots. Leibniz presented his calculating machine at a meeting of the Royal Society in London in 1673.

Court Historian and Founder of the Academy

After the death of the Elector of Mainz, Leibniz became an adviser, historian, librarian, and diplomat for Duke Ernst August. He was commissioned by the Duke to compile the history of the House of Welf-Brunswick. This work took Leibniz more than thirty years, and he managed to trace the genealogy of the Hanoverian Elector back to the "dark ages."

Contributions to Mathematics and Philosophy

While continuing his mathematical research, Leibniz discovered the "fundamental theorem of calculus" (Newton-Leibniz formula). The volume of his correspondence with Isaac Newton, whom the German mathematician sought explanations from regarding complex parts of series theory, reached an incredible number. There are about 15,000 letters addressed to the English physicist.

The Berlin Academy of Sciences

In 1682, Leibniz founded the scientific journal "Acta Eruditorum," in which he published not only his own knowledge but also excerpts from rare books. After the death of Duke Ernst August in 1698, Leibniz remained in the service of the Duke's successor, Georg Ludwig, who later became George I, the King of Great Britain.

In 1700, Leibniz established the Berlin Academy of Sciences with the support of Queen Sophie Charlotte. He became the first president of the academy and was elected a foreign member of the French Academy of Sciences. Prior to this, he had the opportunity to meet with the Russian Tsar Peter I, who subsequently awarded Leibniz the title of Privy Councillor of Justice and a pension of 2000 guilders.

The Newton-Leibniz Controversy

In 1708, Leibniz and Newton engaged in the infamous dispute over the scientific priority of discovering differential calculus. As is known, both sides independently worked on differential calculus and arrived at the same results. The debates between the two geniuses are considered the "most shameful quarrel in the history of mathematics."

Later Years and Legacy

The last years of Leibniz's life were marked by turmoil and unfortunate events. Georg Ludwig, the son of Ernst August, viewed Leibniz merely as his court historian, whom he had to pay. After Georg Ludwig ascended to the throne, his relationship with Leibniz deteriorated even further.

Attempting to obtain an invitation to the London court, Leibniz faced resistance from English scientists who remembered his dispute with Newton. All his attempts to reconcile with the king and gain his favor proved futile. In a rescript addressed to the Hanoverian government, King George I referred to Leibniz as a person who should not be trusted.

Leibniz fell victim to court intrigues and attacks by the Hanoverian clergy. His physical ailments provided a brief respite by August 1716, and it was then that Leibniz decided to finish working on the genealogy of the Welf-Brunswick dynasty. However, his plans were interrupted by a cold, and Gottfried suffered a gout attack. He endured rheumatic pain in his shoulders and took an excessive dose of medicine, to which he had entrusted his well-being.

The doctor who visited Leibniz, seeing the severity of his condition, went to the pharmacy for remedies. On that very day, November 14, 1716, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz passed away.

In addition to his other achievements, Leibniz described the binary numeral system, which forms the basis of computer technology, and introduced the concept of "minute perceptions" in psychology.