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THE STUDY OF CHEMISTRY AT HEIDELBERG: A GLIMPSE OF AN HISTORIC HOME OF RESEARCH KARLFREUDENBERG, DIRECTOR O P THE CHEMICAL INSTITUTEOF THE UNNERSITY. HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
"The mass of British tourists who pass through Heidelberg each summer to enjoy the charming scenery of that delightful spot know little and perhaps care less about that which really marks this town as one of the most illustrious and ancient seats of learning in t h e world. They are satisfied to stroll round the ruins of the Heidelherg Schloss,' and to wonder a t the Gesprengte Turm2outside, and a t the Grosse Fass3inside the Castle. The very existence of the far-famed Ruperto-Carola4 is to most of these travelers unknown, and i t is only if by chance they meet some corps students in gala costume, or hear of some more than usually serious duel, that it occurs t o them that there exists in the town a curious kind of institution called a German university." With these words the famous English chemist, Sir Henry E. Roscoe, introduces his impressive account of his years as a student a t Heidelbe~g.~ He worked here as a scholar and friend of Robert W. Bunsen from 1853 onward. What he wrote twenty years ago still, to some extent, holds good today, though, among educated people, Heidelberg University is known all over the world as an ancient seat of learning. The picturesque town, the world's most magnificent castle ruins, the green woods and mountains, the stately river-all these are so impressive that they very often cause the traveling stranger to overlook the most precious jewel of the old town, the University, founded in 1386. Even if, today, duelling plays no large rble, and the "curious kind of institution" has become a modern university, the charm of the town and its splendid surroundings, the high scientific reputation and the romantic life of the students still remain. Townsmen, professors, and students heartily welcome foreign students, who have always felt a t home within the old walls. Not a few American chemists received or continued their chemical education a t Heidelherg. These friendly relations still exist today, as is proved by the request of the editor of THISJOURNAL that I should say something about the chemical life of Heidelberg and the training of foreign students. Castle. The blown-up Tower. Great Tun. ' Ruperto-Carols University. "The Life andExperienees of Sir Henry E. Roscoe, D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.s." Written by himself. London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., New York: The Macmillan Company, 1906.
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When Robert Bunsen succeeded Leopold Gmelin, the famous author of the inorganic handbook, in 1852, he made Heidelberg one of the centers of the world's chemical research. He built an institute which was a model one for its time, and which now serves as a laboratory for beginners. His private laboratory is still preserved as one of the most venerated of the historic workshops of our science. His house, in whose midst stood his study, in the creeper-clad corner room, serves today as the instruction and research rooms of the physico-chemical department. Here, for 36 years, Bunsen displayed an unexampled activity, and the officewhich he
BUNSEN'SHOUSE WHICHNOWHOUSES THE PHYSICO-CHBMICAL D~PAKTMENT
laid down was taken up by Victor Meyer. This man extended the institute in 1889. Our pictures show the great organic chemistry laboratory, which be built, and one of the lecture rooms. The Institute now had a second flourishing period, this time for organic chemistry. Large parts of the wd-known textbook of Victor Meyer and Paul Jacobson had their origin here. When Victor Meyer died in 1897, all too early, Tbeodor Curtius, the discoverer of hydrazine and azoimide, saw to the continuation of instruction and research. He too extended the Institute by a building which today houses the advanced analysts. When he handed over his office, in 1926, to the writer of these lines, the state took the opportunity of seeing-as well as possible-to the renewal of laboratories and
their equipment. In addition to the above-mentioned rooms there are a t our disposal special laboratories, optical rooms, workshops, storerooms, and a large library. Let me name just a few of the numerous teachers of chemistry who worked or taught a t Heidelberg during some part of their lives: A. Kekul6, A. Baeyer, H. E. Roscoe, F. Beilstein, H. Landolt, Lothar Meyer, A. Crnm Brown, A. Ladenburg, T. L. Thorpe, E. Erlenmeyer, Sr., H. Kopp, A. Horstmann, F. P. Treadwell, L. Gattermann, P. Jacobson, A. Bernthsen, G. Bredig, E. Knoevenagel, M. Bodenstein. The younger generation is endeavoring to carry on the great tradition.
A staff of professors carries out researches with advanced students on the inorganic side, such as high-pressure reactions, inorganic complexes, problems of affinity; various physico-chemical problems are being worked at. On the organic side researches are being carried on concerning heterocyclic compounds, the valency of the carbon atom, organic radicals, as well as concerning tanning materials, catechins, carbohydrates, lignin, and hormones. Native and foreign students carry out researches with the instructors. Anyone who comes as Bachelor, with an Honors degree from a recognized university, is usually admitted a t once, or after a few months which are
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occupied with practical work and end with an informal oral examination, to the "Doktorarbeit." The Doctor's degree (Doktor der Naturwisseflschuften, Doctor fihilosofihiae naturalis) is acquired by an examination after about two years' research work. I n the examination, inorganic, general, physical, and organic chemistry are tested; to these are to be added examinations in physics and a third subject, e. g., mathematics, geology, botany, mineralogy, etc. The necessary lectures and practical tests in the chosen subjects must be attended. This can be done a t Heidelberg itself, before beginning the research work or, when no other arrangement is possible, during the research work. I t is better when some knowledge of these subjects is brought from home. Anyone who, after the completion of his chemical training at a university in his home country, comes to Heidelberg for further instruction and merely intends to carry out research work without reading for an examination has far fewer formalities to perform. Living expenses come to about $500-$700 per annum, and about $250-$300 per annum must be added to this for research work. It is self-evident that a University with Heidelberg's historical background and old reputation gives opportunity for all kinds of educationon the side of philosophy, history, philology, art, economics, and medicine. Opportunities are provided for sport, particularly for rowing, athletics, and gymnastics. Excursions in the neighborhood are valuable for the natural beauty and the historic associations of the country; longer journeys are made easy by Heidelberg's favorable situation in Central Europe.
