Abstract
THE death of Johann Wilhelm Hittorf, at the age of ninety years, removes an eminent and honoured leader from the ranks of German physicists. Born and brought up in Bonn, Hittorf devoted himself to the study of mathematics and natural science at the Universities of Bonn and Berlin, and became Doctor of Philosophy in 1846. Shortly afterwards he attached himself, as privatdocent, to the Academy (later the University) of Mnster in Westphalia, the institution with which he was to be associated during his lifetime. Appointed “ausserordentlicher” professor in 1852, Hittorf became full professor of physics and chemistry four years later, and this post he held till 1879. On the reorganisation of the institution in that year, the chair of physics and chemistry was divided, and Hittorf continued as director of the physical laboratories until serious illness compelled him, in 1889, to seek relief from active teaching work. With rest came recovery and renewed activity, to such good purpose that between his seventieth and eightieth years Hittorf published some half-dozen memoirs. He died on November 28 last, as professor emeritus of the University of Mnster, full of years and honour.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
P., J. Prof. J. W. Hittorf . Nature 94, 484 (1914). https://doi.org/10.1038/094484a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/094484a0