Willy Hartner facts for kids
Willy Hartner (born January 22, 1905 – died May 16, 1981) was a smart German scientist. He was known as a polymath, which means he was good at many different subjects.
Early Life and Education
Willy Hartner studied at Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He earned his PhD in physics there in 1928. A PhD is a very high university degree that shows someone is an expert in their field.
Becoming a Professor
After his studies, Hartner became a professor at the same university in 1940. A professor is a senior teacher and researcher at a university. By 1946, he became a full professor, meaning he had a permanent and important teaching position.
Contributions to Science
In 1943, Willy Hartner started an important place called the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences. This institute studied how science and nature have been understood throughout history. Today, it is part of the Institute of Physics at Goethe University.
Awards and Honors
Willy Hartner received many awards and honors for his work.
- In 1971, he was given the George Sarton Medal. This medal is a very important award for people who study the history of science.
- He was the president of the Académie Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences (International Academy of the History of Science) from 1971 to 1978.
- He was also a member, or fellow, of several important groups. These included the Royal Astronomical Society (starting in 1935), which is for people who study stars and space.
- He also became a fellow of academies in Spain (1968), Italy (1975), and Denmark (1980).
- In 1975, he was made a knight in the Légion d'honneur, which is a very high award from France.
Willy Hartner's work helped us understand how science has grown and changed over time.
