Menso Folkerts began his academic training in 1962 at the University of Göttingen, where he focused on classical philology, mathematics, and historical auxiliary sciences. Since completing his doctorate, he has established a career dedicated to the study and documentation of mathematical history, bridging the gap between historical scholarship and modern institutional research within Germany.
Academic Appointments
Folkerts held professional positions at the University of Oldenburg and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. His tenure at LMU Munich spanned from 1980 to 2008, during which time he contributed to the field as a university teacher and historian of mathematics. Beyond his primary teaching roles, his scholarship informed broader reference materials, including entries for the Encyclopedia Britannica.
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His academic output includes specialized texts such as Essays on Early Medieval Mathematics: The Latin Tradition and Sourcebook in the Mathematics of Medieval Europe and North Africa. In addition to these monographs, he compiled a digital database containing over 7000 items of correspondence, facilitating public access to historical academic communication.
Professional Recognition and Membership
The international community recognized his contributions to historical sciences in 2013 with the Kenneth O. May Prize. He maintains membership in several prestigious institutions, including the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, and the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony.
Fast facts
- Born: 22 June 1943, Eschwege
- Citizenship: Germany
- Education: University of Göttingen
- Primary Field: Mathematics
- Key Award: Kenneth O. May Prize (2013)
- Languages: German, English
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Menso Folkerts study at university?
Between 1962 and 1967, he studied classical philology, mathematics, and historical auxiliary sciences.
Which universities employed Folkerts during his career?
He worked at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and the University of Oldenburg.
Achievements
- Kenneth O. May Prize — 2013
- Held posts at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and University of Oldenburg
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