The Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften) is an independent public institution, located in Munich. It appoints scholars whose research has contributed considerably to the increase of knowledge within their subject. The general goal of the academy is the promotion of interdisciplinary encounters and contacts and the cooperation of representatives of different subjects.
Contents |
The Academy was founded in 1759 by Elector Maximilian III Joseph of Bavaria. The foundation was initiated by Councillor Johann Georg Lori (1723-1787), the founder of the Bavarian Learned Society (Bayerische Gelehrten Gesellschaft). Originally, the Academy consisted of two divisions, the Class for History (Historische Klasse) and the Class for Philosophy (Philosophische Klasse); natural sciences, including mathematics and physics, were thought of as part of the Class for Philosophy. Today, the Academy is still divided into two classes, but the classes are now the Class for Philosophy and History (which also includes the humanities and social sciences) and the Class for Mathematics and the Natural Sciences.
In each class, the number of ordinary members is limited to 45, and the number of corresponding members is limited to 80. However, ordinary members at or over the age of 70 are not counted towards this limit; the number of ordinary members is, therefore, usually around 120.
During the course of its history, the academy has had numerous famous members including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Grimm brothers, Theodor Mommsen, Anthimos Gazis, Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt, Kurt Sethe, Max Planck, Otto Hahn, Albert Einstein, Max Weber, Werner Heisenberg and Adolf Butenandt.
First president was the chairman of the Mint and Mining Commission, Sigmund Count of Haimhausen. Further presidents included Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi, Friedrich Wilhelm von Schelling, Justus von Liebig, Ignaz von Döllinger, Max von Pettenkofer and Walther Meißner.
At present, the presidency is held by Prof. Dr. Dietmar Willoweit.
For the pursuit of long-term projects, the Academy forms Commissions. At present, 39 Commissions employ more than 300 persons.
Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
Alfons-Goppel-Str. 11
80539 München
Germany
Tel. +49-89-23031-1141