|
|
Article: Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm
- Article from:
- Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Charles Scribner's Sons. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm
b
. Leipzig, Germany, 1 July 1646;
d
. Hannover, Germany, 14 November 1716)
mathematics, philosophy, metaphysics.
Leibniz was the son of Friedrich Leibniz, who was professor of moral philosophy and held various administrative posts at the University of Leipzig. His mother, Katherina Schmuck, was also from an academic family. Although the Leibniz family was of Slavonic origin, it had been established in the Leipzig area for more than two hundred years, and three generations had been in the service of the local princes.
Leibniz attended the Nicolai school, where his precocity led his teachers to attempt to confine him to materials thought suitable to his age. A ...