Eduard Jan Dijksterhuis
Encyclopedia
Eduard Jan Dijksterhuis was a Dutch historian of science.
from 1911 to 1918 and titled his Ph.D. thesis "A Contributions to the Knowledge of the Flat Helicoid." From 1916 to 1953 he was a professor
and taught mathematics
, physics
and cosmography
. He wrote about Archimedes
in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He advocated changes in the way mathematics were taught to reinforce the formal characteristics of the discipline. In 1952, he was appointed as a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
. In 1953, he was appointed to teach the history of mathematics and the nature of science at Utrecht University
and in 1955 at Leiden University
. In 1962 he was awarded the Sarton Medal
by the History of Science Society
.
Career
He studied mathematics at the University of GroningenUniversity of Groningen
The University of Groningen , located in the city of Groningen, was founded in 1614. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands as well as one of its largest. Since its inception more than 100,000 students have graduated...
from 1911 to 1918 and titled his Ph.D. thesis "A Contributions to the Knowledge of the Flat Helicoid." From 1916 to 1953 he was a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
and taught mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and cosmography
Cosmography
Cosmography is the science that maps the general features of the universe, describing both heaven and Earth...
. He wrote about Archimedes
Archimedes
Archimedes of Syracuse was a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer. Although few details of his life are known, he is regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. Among his advances in physics are the foundations of hydrostatics, statics and an...
in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He advocated changes in the way mathematics were taught to reinforce the formal characteristics of the discipline. In 1952, he was appointed as a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences is an organisation dedicated to the advancement of science and literature in the Netherlands...
. In 1953, he was appointed to teach the history of mathematics and the nature of science at Utrecht University
Utrecht University
Utrecht University is a university in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. Established March 26, 1636, it had an enrollment of 29,082 students in 2008, and employed 8,614 faculty and staff, 570 of which are full professors....
and in 1955 at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
. In 1962 he was awarded the Sarton Medal
George Sarton Medal
The George Sarton Medal is the most prestigious award given by the History of Science Society. It has been awarded annually since 1955. It is awarded to an historian of science from the international community who became distinguished for "a lifetime of scholarly achievement" in the field...
by the History of Science Society
History of Science Society
The History of Science Society is the primary professional society for the academic study of the history of science.It was founded in 1924 by George Sarton and Lawrence Joseph Henderson, primarily to support the publication of Isis, a journal of the history of science Sarton had started in 1912....
.