Joseph Stapf (mathematician)

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Joseph Paul Stapf (born January 23, 1762 in Perjen , Tyrol, † October 16, 1809 in Innsbruck ) was an Austrian mathematician. He is considered the founder of engineering teaching and research at the University of Innsbruck .

Life

Joseph Stapf was the youngest of eight children of a farming family from Perjen (today a district of Landeck ). His talent was recognized in the elementary school and with the support of the curate Georg Lechleitner he was able to attend the Franziskanergymnasium in Hall . He then studied at the Philosophical Faculty of the University of Innsbruck , where Ignaz Weinhart was one of his teachers. In 1780 he graduated with a master's degree in philosophy and then studied law for two years, but most of the time he devoted himself to his favorite subjects, mathematics and physics. Together with his older brother Anton Isidor (1757–1787), who had also started studying after him, he supported Franz von Zallinger with astronomical observations. During the holidays, the brothers occupied themselves with physical experiments in their hometown, in particular on electricity , magnetism and aerostatics , the main subjects of physical research at the time.

In 1783 Stapf became a mathematical tutor at the Theresian Military Academy  in Wiener Neustadt. In 1785 he worked in the tax survey in Bohemia, from 1786 to 1789 in the basic survey in Hungary. After the end of this assignment, he accepted a position as economic advisor to the Bishop of Raab , but was anxious to return to the building trade and to his native Tyrol. When, after the death of Emperor Joseph II. In 1790, his successor Leopold II was hoping to restore the Innsbruck University, which he had closed in 1782, Stapf applied for a chair in practical mathematics.

In November 1791 he was employed as the court building authority inspector in Innsbruck, on March 16, 1792 Emperor Franz II appointed him public full teacher of practical mathematics and technology at the philosophical faculty of the University of Innsbruck, which was re-established on November 1, 1792. In addition to these subjects, he also taught forest science from 1797. On the occasion of the Napoleonic Wars  in 1796 he gave public lectures on the art of war and checked the defenses in the Upper Inn Valley . In 1799 he examined the course of the Adige near Bozen and prepared a report on drying the swamps and preventing flooding. The measures were not implemented because of the war.

In 1800 Stapf was elected rector and in 1802 dean of the philosophical faculty.

In 1803 he married the daughter of Thaddäus von Leis and Johanna von Wenzl. Two of the four children died in childhood. From 1803 Stapf's health was impaired, from 1805 he could no longer leave his house and gave his lectures there.

In 1974 Josef-Stapf-Straße in the Innsbruck district of Hötting West was named  near the technical faculty that had been established a few years earlier. A street in Landeck-Perjen also commemorates Joseph Stapf.

Fonts (selection)

  • Most insubordinate presentation to the Land Tyrol regarding the establishment of a chair in practical mathematics at the University of Innsbruck. 1791
  • Reliable means of avoiding the pressure of the water on all low-lying ground surfaces, through which the locks and ship docks are secured against blasting the ground forever. Innsbruck 1798
  • News of the public teaching and overview of the subjects of practical mathematics and technology at the Imperial and Royal University of Innsbruck under the teaching post of Professor Joseph Stapf. Innsbruck 1798
  • Speech at the solemn appointment of Sr. Königs. Highness of the most illustrious Archduke Johann von Oesterreich as permanent rector of the Imperial and Royal Leopoldine University of Innsbruck. 1800
  • Preamble to the suggestion about the drying up and burying of the morass lying between Glurns and Laaß in Obervinschgau, by Franz Patscheider, camera operator, royal. Land geometer and road engineer. Innsbruck 1807

literature

Notes and individual references

  1. ↑ according to Mersi; according to Wurzbach: January 28th
  2. ↑ New street names in the urban area of ​​Hötting north of Kranebitter Allee. In: Official Journal of the State Capital Innsbruck, No. 6, June 1974, p. 6 ( digitized version )
personal data
SURNAME Stapf, Joseph
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Stapf, Joseph Paul (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian mathematician
DATE OF BIRTH January 23, 1762
PLACE OF BIRTH Perjen
DATE OF DEATH October 16, 1809
Place of death innsbruck