Johan Ludvig Heiberg (historian) facts for kids
Johan Ludvig Heiberg (born November 27, 1854 – died January 4, 1928) was a smart Danish expert in old languages and history. He is famous for finding hidden writings in an old book called the Archimedes Palimpsest. He also prepared important versions of famous math books like Euclid's Elements and Ptolemy's Almagest. These books helped people understand ancient math and science better.
Contents
Growing Up and Learning
Johan Ludvig Heiberg was born in Aalborg, Denmark. His father, Emil Theodor Heiberg, was a doctor. Johan went to Aalborg Cathedral School and finished in 1871.
He then studied at the University of Copenhagen. In 1876, he earned a degree in classical philology. This means he studied ancient languages like Greek and Latin. In 1879, he earned his doctorate degree. His special paper was about the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes.
His Work and Discoveries
From 1884 to 1896, Heiberg was the principal of a school in Østerbro. Later, he became a professor at the University of Copenhagen in 1896. He taught about classical languages and also about archaeology. He was a professor until 1924.
Heiberg was very busy and wrote over 200 books and papers. He translated many important works by ancient Greek mathematicians. These included books by Archimedes, Euclid, Apollonius of Perga, and Ptolemy. Many of the versions he created are still used by scholars today.
The Archimedes Palimpsest
One of Heiberg's most exciting discoveries was about the Archimedes Palimpsest. A palimpsest is an old manuscript where the original writing was erased. Then, new text was written over it. This was often done to save expensive parchment.
In 1906, Heiberg looked at this old book in Istanbul. He realized it contained mathematical works by Archimedes that no one knew about. Heiberg was allowed to take photos of the pages. From these photos, he carefully wrote down the hidden texts. He published these between 1910 and 1915.
Heiberg used only his eyes to study the manuscript. Today, scientists use special tools like x-ray and ultraviolet light to read even more of the hidden text. The Archimedes Palimpsest is now kept safe at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
His Life and Recognition
In 1879, Johan Ludvig Heiberg married Cathrine Asmussen.
Heiberg was a respected figure. He is even shown in a famous painting from 1897. This painting, called A Meeting in the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, was made by Peder Severin Krøyer. Other artists also painted or drew him.
Heiberg received several honors for his work. He was made a Knight in the Order of the Dannebrog in 1907. In 1912, the French Academy of Sciences gave him the Prix Binoux award.
Important Books by Heiberg
- Glossae medicinales (1924)
- Attiske Gravmæler (1895)
- Euclidis Opera omnia (1883-1916), a nine-volume work with Heinrich Menge
- Quæstiones Archimedeæ (1879)
Notable Students
- Ingeborg Hammer-Jensen, who became a historian of science and philologist.
See also
In Spanish: Johan Ludvig Heiberg para niños
