Johann Christoph Sturm

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Johann Christoph Sturm
Engraving by Wolfgang Kilian

Johann Christoph Sturm (lat.Johannes Christophorus Sturmius; born November 3, 1635 in Hilpoltstein (Middle Franconia), † December 26, 1703 in Altdorf ) was a German astronomer and mathematician .

Life

Johann Christoph Sturm was the son of Johann Eucharius Sturm and Gertraud, geb. Buck. From 1646 he was a pupil of the Latin school in Weißenburg in Bavaria and in 1653 as a pupil of the theologian Daniel Wülfer (lecturer for logic, metaphysics and physics) in Nuremberg . From 1656 to 1662 he studied mathematics, physics and theology in Jena , meanwhile for a year in Leiden .

After a brief teaching activity in Nuremberg, Sturm was pastor in Deiningen (near Nördlingen ) from 1664 . In 1669 he became professor of mathematics and physics at the University of Altdorf , a position he held until his death. During this time he was dean of the faculty of philosophy several times . He was married three times and had nine surviving children, including the architectural theorist Leonhard Christoph Sturm (1669–1719). In December 1703 Johann Sturm died of the consequences of a stroke.

meaning

Fountain figure: Hydrostatic example from the Collegium Experimentale (1676)

Sturm was regarded as a particularly talented teacher of the natural sciences, who did not instill dry book knowledge in his students, but brought the subject matter closer to him in an understandable way. He represented neither the old-fashioned school according to Aristotle nor the extremely modern direction of the Cartesians , but a hybrid form. Latin technical terms in the natural sciences were first Germanized by Sturm. He is also considered the founder of the eclectic philosophy that was important for the early Enlightenment.

The former Obere Marktstrasse in the city center of his native Hilpoltstein now bears his name with Christoph-Sturm-Strasse . Storm Cove , a bay in Antarctica , is also named after him .

Fonts (selection)

  • Aristotle Mathematicus. 1660.
  • Universalia euclidea. The Hague 1661.
  • The incomparable Archimedis sand bill. Nuremberg 1667.
  • De Terrae Motibus. 1670 (About the earthquakes).
  • Collegium Experimentale, Sive Curiosum. First part, 1676.
  • Sundial. 1681 (textbook on sundials).
  • The great conjunction. 1683.
  • Collegium Experimentale, Sive Curiosum. Second part, 1685.
  • Physica electiva sive hypothetica.
  • Philosophia eclectica. 1698.
  • Mathesis juvenilis. 1699/1701 (mathematics textbook for young people).

literature

Web links

Commons : Johann Christoph Sturm  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Date of death December 26th according to naa.net, Zedler mentions Christmas day 1703, ADB, Bosl and DNB as October 26th 1703.
  2. ^ WDB: Collegium Experimentale, Sive Curiosum. 1676.
  3. ^ WDB: Collegium Experimentale, Sive Curiosi. 1685.
  4. ↑ WDB: Physica electiva immersive hypothetica. 1697.
personal data
SURNAME Sturm, Johann Christoph
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German astronomer and mathematician
DATE OF BIRTH November 3, 1635
PLACE OF BIRTH Hilpoltstein (Middle Franconia)
DATE OF DEATH October 26, 1703 or December 26, 1703
Place of death Altdorf near Nuremberg