Prussian Academy of Sciences

The Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences (German: Königlich-Preußische Akademie der Wissenschaften) was an academy started in Berlin, Germany on 11 July 1700. It began four years after the Prussian Academy of Arts, which is sometimes also called the "Berlin Academy." During the 1700s, French was the main language used for science and culture, so the Academy worked in French at that time.

Origins

Prince-elector Frederick III of Brandenburg created the Prussian Academy of Sciences in 1700. He was guided by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who became its first leader. Unlike other Academies, this one did not get money directly from the government. Instead, Frederick III gave it the right to make and sell calendars in Brandenburg, an idea from Leibniz. When Frederick became the "King in Prussia" in 1701, the Academy’s name changed to the "Royal Prussian Society of Sciences." It was special because it taught both science and arts, unlike other Academies that focused on just a few areas. By 1710, the Academy was split into four groups, which stayed the same until 1830.

Frederick the Great

When King Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great, ruled, big changes happened at the Academy. In 1744, two smaller science groups joined to become the Royal Academy of Sciences. Two years later, it was renamed the Royal Academy of Sciences and Fine Literature.

The Academy started offering money to people who could solve tough science problems. In the 1700s, it got its own special places for research, like an observatory in 1709, a botanical garden in 1718, and a laboratory in 1753. Later, these places became part of the University of Berlin.

During this time, the Academy used French for its work and writing. Many famous thinkers joined, such as Immanuel Kant and Jean-Baptiste le Rond d'Alembert. Even though there were some disagreements among the members, the Academy became well-known around the world and helped shape German culture and ideas.

19th century

Around 1812, the academy was called the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences. Starting in 1815, the academy began creating special groups to study topics like ancient Greek and Roman archaeology and languages from faraway places. These groups hired scientists to work with their members. Later, in 1945, some of these study groups helped create university departments.

20th century

In 1915, Albert Einstein shared his important ideas about space and gravity with the Academy.

During the time of Nazi Germany, the Academy changed to follow the government's strict rules. Some members were asked to leave later than at other places.

After World War II, the group was reorganized and given new names. It grew to include many researchers and workers across East Germany. When Germany reunited, the Academy was closed, and a new one, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, was created. Some members started their own group called the Leibniz Society in 1993.

Notable members

The Prussian Academy of Sciences had many important members over the years. Some of the earliest included Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who helped start the academy in 1700, and Leonhard Euler, who joined in 1741. Later members included famous thinkers like Immanuel Kant and scientists such as Albert Einstein, who became a member in 1914. The academy also welcomed many international scholars, showing its global importance in science and learning.