Ernst Abbe
1840–1905
German physicist, entrepreneur, and social reformer. Professor extraordinarius of physics, Jena University, 1870–9; professor of physics, 1879–96; director of the observatory, 1877–91. From 1866, collaborated with Carl Zeiss, the owner of a precision-engineering workshop in Jena, in developing the theoretical foundations for substantial improvements in optical technology. Partner in the firm, 1876; sole director, 1888. Introduced health and retirement benefits for employees and established the Carl Zeiss Foundation in 1889.
Sources
DSB
NDB
Bibliography
DSB: Dictionary of scientific biography. Edited by Charles Coulston Gillispie and Frederic L. Holmes. 18 vols. including index and supplements. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1970–90.
NDB: Neue deutsche Biographie. Under the auspices of the Historical Commission of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences. 27 vols. (A–Wettiner) to date. Berlin: Duncker & Humblot. 1953–.
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