Biography Category
Name :
Wilhelm Roentgen
Date :
Views :
1065
Category :
Birth Date :
27/03/1845
Birth Place :
Lennep, Prussia.
Death Date :
10-Feb-23
Not Available
The birth of a highly talented personality from the same geneological lineage is a rare phenomenon. Wilhelm Roentgen’s parents were blood cousins, united by the eternal bond of marriage. He was their only child, born on March 27, 1845, at Lennep, Prussia. [br /]
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He belonged to a well-to-do textile merchants family. At the age of three, Roentgen and his parents moved to Apeledoorn in Holland, the home of his maternal grandparents. He received his primary education there and then at a boarding school at Middelaan.[br /]
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At the age of 17, he secured admission in a technical school in Utrecht. He lodged at the home of one of his professors, Dr Jan Willem Gunning. A scholar, Dr Gunning was Roentgen’s tutor, guide and mentor. Roentgen was loyal and affectionately devoted to him. Roentgen said "…. your place in my heart never became empty."[br /]
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Roentgen served as an instructor in chemistry and even wrote a section in the textbooks written by Dr Jan Willem. Roentgen’s life was flowing smoothly, when a sudden turn of events altered his life. Towards the end of his studies at the technical school, a degrading caricature of one of the teachers appeared on the blackboard. As Roentgen refused to reveal the name of the mischievous student, he was expelled from the school, accused of being an ally. After that, he attended courses and was privately tutored.[br /]
[br /]
In 1865, he entered the University of Utrecht to study physics. However, he lacked the credentials required for a regular student. His dreams of higher education were shattered. Fortunately, he learnt that the University of Polytechnic at Zurich acknowledged students without necessary credentials. The only prerequisite was to pass the entrance examination. Roentgen applied for admission and upon examination of his documents and letters, the examination was waived. He regularly attended the lectures imparted by Clausis (one of his professors) and also worked in the laboratory of August Kundt, a German professor. Both Clausis and Kundt greatly influenced him. In 1868, at the age of 23, Roentgen graduated as a mechanical engineer with excellent grades. In 1869, Roentgen was awarded a Ph D degree from the University of Zurich for his dissertation Studies on Gases.[br /]
[br /]
Appointed as an assistant to Kundt, Roentgen accompanied him to Wurzburg in 1869. Three years later, they went to Strasbourg. Here, he met Anna Bertha Ludwig, in a cafe, run by her father. Unusually charming, Anna was tall and slender. Though she lacked formal education, she was brought up to be morally ‘sincere’ and upright. They were married on January 19, 1872. As they had no children of their own, they adopted Berta’s niece Josephine Bertha Ludwig, in 1887, who was also their legal heir.Roentgen lost Anna in 1919 upon her death.[br /]
[br /]
Domestic affairs did not obstruct Roentgen’s career. Two years after his marriage, in 1874, he qualified as a lecturer at Strasbourg University. The following year, he was appointed as professor in the Academy of Agriculture at Hohenhein in Wurtemberg. In 1876, he returned to Strasbourg as Professor of Physics. In 1879, he accepted the invitation to the Chair of Physics in the University of Giessen.[br /]
[br /]
Roentgen was invited for similar posts by universities of Jena, Utrecht and Wurzburg. He accepted the offer from the University of Wurzburg. Once again, in 1900, he accepted the invitation to the Chair of Physics at the University of Munich. Roentgen spent the rest of his life at the university. After leading an active life, Roentgen died at Munich on February 10, 1923, of carcinoma of intestine.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
He belonged to a well-to-do textile merchants family. At the age of three, Roentgen and his parents moved to Apeledoorn in Holland, the home of his maternal grandparents. He received his primary education there and then at a boarding school at Middelaan.[br /]
[br /]
At the age of 17, he secured admission in a technical school in Utrecht. He lodged at the home of one of his professors, Dr Jan Willem Gunning. A scholar, Dr Gunning was Roentgen’s tutor, guide and mentor. Roentgen was loyal and affectionately devoted to him. Roentgen said "…. your place in my heart never became empty."[br /]
[br /]
Roentgen served as an instructor in chemistry and even wrote a section in the textbooks written by Dr Jan Willem. Roentgen’s life was flowing smoothly, when a sudden turn of events altered his life. Towards the end of his studies at the technical school, a degrading caricature of one of the teachers appeared on the blackboard. As Roentgen refused to reveal the name of the mischievous student, he was expelled from the school, accused of being an ally. After that, he attended courses and was privately tutored.[br /]
[br /]
In 1865, he entered the University of Utrecht to study physics. However, he lacked the credentials required for a regular student. His dreams of higher education were shattered. Fortunately, he learnt that the University of Polytechnic at Zurich acknowledged students without necessary credentials. The only prerequisite was to pass the entrance examination. Roentgen applied for admission and upon examination of his documents and letters, the examination was waived. He regularly attended the lectures imparted by Clausis (one of his professors) and also worked in the laboratory of August Kundt, a German professor. Both Clausis and Kundt greatly influenced him. In 1868, at the age of 23, Roentgen graduated as a mechanical engineer with excellent grades. In 1869, Roentgen was awarded a Ph D degree from the University of Zurich for his dissertation Studies on Gases.[br /]
[br /]
Appointed as an assistant to Kundt, Roentgen accompanied him to Wurzburg in 1869. Three years later, they went to Strasbourg. Here, he met Anna Bertha Ludwig, in a cafe, run by her father. Unusually charming, Anna was tall and slender. Though she lacked formal education, she was brought up to be morally ‘sincere’ and upright. They were married on January 19, 1872. As they had no children of their own, they adopted Berta’s niece Josephine Bertha Ludwig, in 1887, who was also their legal heir.Roentgen lost Anna in 1919 upon her death.[br /]
[br /]
Domestic affairs did not obstruct Roentgen’s career. Two years after his marriage, in 1874, he qualified as a lecturer at Strasbourg University. The following year, he was appointed as professor in the Academy of Agriculture at Hohenhein in Wurtemberg. In 1876, he returned to Strasbourg as Professor of Physics. In 1879, he accepted the invitation to the Chair of Physics in the University of Giessen.[br /]
[br /]
Roentgen was invited for similar posts by universities of Jena, Utrecht and Wurzburg. He accepted the offer from the University of Wurzburg. Once again, in 1900, he accepted the invitation to the Chair of Physics at the University of Munich. Roentgen spent the rest of his life at the university. After leading an active life, Roentgen died at Munich on February 10, 1923, of carcinoma of intestine.[br /]
[br /]
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The year 1895 witnessed a turning point in experimental physics as Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered ‘X–rays’. [br /]
[br /]
German by birth and breeding, Roentgen was educated and inspired by Swiss and Dutch masters. While experimenting, Roentgen observed those minor facts, which were overlooked by his predecessors. His aptness and brevity helped him in discovering X–rays.[br /]
[br /]
Although Roentgen was subjected to some bitter attacks and attempts to belittle his achievements were desperately made, yet, he remained unassuming and simple by nature. His discovery of X–rays earned him several honors including the first ever Nobel Prize for Physics in 1901. Journey through this great man's life is like going through life in all its hues.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
German by birth and breeding, Roentgen was educated and inspired by Swiss and Dutch masters. While experimenting, Roentgen observed those minor facts, which were overlooked by his predecessors. His aptness and brevity helped him in discovering X–rays.[br /]
[br /]
Although Roentgen was subjected to some bitter attacks and attempts to belittle his achievements were desperately made, yet, he remained unassuming and simple by nature. His discovery of X–rays earned him several honors including the first ever Nobel Prize for Physics in 1901. Journey through this great man's life is like going through life in all its hues.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[b]March 27, 1845[/b][br /]
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was born in Lennep, Prussia.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1862[/b][br /]
He attended a technical school at Utrecht.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1865[/b][br /]
Began to study Mechanical Engineering in Zurich.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1869[/b][br /]
Received his Ph D from the University of Zurich.[br /]
First work on Specific Heats of Gases was published.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1872[/b][br /]
He married Anna Berta Ludwig.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1874[/b][br /]
Qualified as a Lecturer at Strasbourg University.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1875[/b][br /]
He was appointed as a Professor in the Academy of Agriculture.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1876[/b][br /]
Became professor at Strasbourg.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1879[/b][br /]
Chair of Physics at the University of Giessen.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1887[/b][br /]
Adopted his niece Josephine Bertha Ludwig.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1895[/b][br /]
He discovered X–rays.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1900[/b][br /]
Chair of Physics at the University of Munich[br /]
[br /]
[b]1901[/b][br /]
Noble Prize for Physics was awarded to him.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1919[/b][br /]
[br /]
Wife Bertha died.[br /]
[br /]
[b]Feb 10, 1923[/b][br /]
He passed away.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was born in Lennep, Prussia.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1862[/b][br /]
He attended a technical school at Utrecht.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1865[/b][br /]
Began to study Mechanical Engineering in Zurich.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1869[/b][br /]
Received his Ph D from the University of Zurich.[br /]
First work on Specific Heats of Gases was published.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1872[/b][br /]
He married Anna Berta Ludwig.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1874[/b][br /]
Qualified as a Lecturer at Strasbourg University.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1875[/b][br /]
He was appointed as a Professor in the Academy of Agriculture.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1876[/b][br /]
Became professor at Strasbourg.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1879[/b][br /]
Chair of Physics at the University of Giessen.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1887[/b][br /]
Adopted his niece Josephine Bertha Ludwig.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1895[/b][br /]
He discovered X–rays.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1900[/b][br /]
Chair of Physics at the University of Munich[br /]
[br /]
[b]1901[/b][br /]
Noble Prize for Physics was awarded to him.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1919[/b][br /]
[br /]
Wife Bertha died.[br /]
[br /]
[b]Feb 10, 1923[/b][br /]
He passed away.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
