- Thomas Abbt
Thomas Abbt (
25 November 1738 ndash3 November 1766 ) was a Germanmathematician and writer.Born in
Ulm , Abbt visited a secondary school in Ulm, then moved in 1756 to study theology, philosophy and mathematics at theUniversity of Halle , receiving a Magister degree in 1758. In 1760 he was appointed as an associate professor of philosophy at theUniversity of Frankfurt (Oder) , where he wrote his most well-known work "Vom Tode für's Vaterland" (1761).This highly patriotic tract thematises Frederick II's defeat at Kunersdorf. It also drew the attention of the editors of the famous "Literaturbriefe (Literary Letters)", started by
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing . He contributed a large number of historical, political, esthetical and philosophical essays. Abbt was a fervent admirer of Lessing and seconded his educational, prosaic style of writing.In autumn 1761 he was appointed as the full professor of mathematics in
Rinteln .While there, he wrote his other famous work, "Vom Verdienste" (1765).He travelled for nine months to
France , where he was able to speak withVoltaire inFerney . He also climbed in the alps ofSavoy . This travel and the disapproval of the life at the university raised his urge to "trade the Theory for the Life".While dealing with the idea to become a historian, he was offered in 1765 at the same time a professorship at the
University of Marburg and a post as Councillor of the Court at the court ofCount Wilhelm von Schaumburg-Lippe . He decided for the latter.The count was highly interested in the plans of Thomas Abbt, which included a history of Maximilian and a translation ofSallust among others.However in 1766, the twenty-seven year old Abbt suddenly died of an intestinal illness in
Bückeburg . Of him Herder wrote that he "died for Germany and for his language too early!"Sources
* Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie - at
Wikisource Persondata
NAME=Abbt, Thomas
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=mathematician , writer
DATE OF BIRTH=25 November 1738
PLACE OF BIRTH=Ulm
DATE OF DEATH=3 November 1766
PLACE OF DEATH=Bückeburg
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