Johann Wilhelm Baier (physicist)

Johann Wilhelm Baier, engraving by Wolfgang Philipp Kilian

Johann Wilhelm Baier (born June 12, 1675 in Jena ; † May 11, 1729 in Altdorf ) was professor of Lutheran theology, physics and mathematics in Altdorf.

family

He was the son of Johann Wilhelm Baier (1647–1695) and brother of Johann Jakob Baier (1677–1735). On July 14, 1705 he married Susanna Maria Funck, the widow of the physician Johann Ludwig Apin (1668–1703). In 1716 he married Susanna Margaretha Krafft (1693–1777). Johann Wilhelm Baier had 3 sons and 3 daughters.

Life

After attending the Princely School from 1691 in Heilsbronn, Johann Wilhelm Baier studied theology, mathematics and physics at the universities of Jena and Halle. In 1704 he succeeded Johann Christoph Sturm as professor of mathematics and physics at the University of Altdorf , and in 1709 he switched to a vacant chair in theology. His successor at the chair for mathematics and physics was the astronomer Johann Heinrich Müller in 1710 . He lived in Altdorf until his death.

Work and writings

His scientific work combined theology with current knowledge of nature. In his work Behemoth Et Leviathan, Elephas Et Balaena (1708) he explained the animals mentioned in the book of Job to be elephants and whales. In his Fossilia Diluvii Universalis Monumenta (1712) he interpreted the fossil finds as evidence of the Flood.

Several physical dissertations on current nature observation were added such as De Sapphiro Scripturae Sacrae (1705), De fulmine, fulgure ac tonitru hiemali (1706), De Asterismis Scripturae Sacrae (1707), De Aeolipila (1708), De Lacrymis Seu Guttis Vitreis (1708), De origine fontium (1709) and De frigore proximi mensis Ianuarii insolito (1709) (about the harsh winter of that year).

literature

• Eugen Lommel :  Baier, Johann Wilhelm . In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Volume 1, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1875, p. 774.

Web links

• Astronomy in Nuremberg: Johann Wilhelm Baier