The 2017 Kenneth O. May Prize recipient Eberhard Knobloch has spent his career examining the intersection of classical philology and the history of mathematics. Born in Görlitz in 1943, he bridges the technical demands of scientific research with the linguistic precision required to translate and interpret the foundational works of scholars like Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Johannes Kepler.
Early Academic Formation
Knobloch completed his studies between 1962 and 1967, focusing on classics and mathematics. After obtaining his teaching qualification, he instructed students in ancient languages at the Goethe-Gymnasium in Berlin-Wilmersdorf. His early career included a research assistant position at the Technische Universität Berlin, where he focused on the history of science under Christoph Scriba. He earned his doctorate in 1972 with a dissertation examining the combinators of Leibniz.
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In 1973, he began teaching mathematics at the College of Education in Berlin, later qualifying as a professor in 1976. He moved to the Technische Universität Berlin as a professor of the history of science in 1981, holding the position until his retirement in 2009. Beyond Berlin, he served as a visiting scholar or guest professor at institutions including Oxford, London, Edinburgh, the Russian Academy of Sciences in Leningrad, Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xian, and the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris.
Editorial and Archival Contributions
Much of his scholarly output involves the preservation and analysis of primary scientific texts. He managed the mathematical sections of the Leibniz edition and oversaw the Tschirnhaus edition for the Saxon Academy of Sciences. His work encompasses the notebooks of Leonhard Euler, the writings of Jesuit scholar Christopher Clavius, and Renaissance military engineering represented by Mariano Taccola. He also contributed to the interpretation of Ptolemy charts by collaborating with Dieter Lelgemann.
Institutional Leadership
Knobloch is a member of multiple scholarly bodies, including the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. He served as president of the International Academy of the History of Science and led the European Society for the History of Science from 2006 to 2008. His administrative experience also includes directing the Alexander von Humboldt Research Centre.
Fast facts
- Born: 1943, Görlitz
- Citizenship: Germany
- Doctorate: 1972
- Retirement: 2009
- Languages: French, German, Latin
- 2017 Kenneth O. May Prize winner
- Specialization: History of mathematics and science
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Eberhard Knobloch's research?
He specializes in the history of science, mathematics, and classical philology, with a particular focus on historical scientific texts and Renaissance technology.
Which major scientific editions has he managed?
Achievements
- Held posts at Technische Universität Berlin
- Fields: history of science, mathematics and classical philology
