Hans Wußing (1927-2011) and the blooming of the history of mathematics and sciences in the German Democratic Republic -- a biographical essay (Q420777)

Hans Wußing (1927-2011) was one of the most influential and most popular historians for sciences and mathematics in East Germany, the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The genesis of the modern notion of a group was his best known work. But he was interested in other topics too such as ``mathematics in the ancient world'', life and work of A. Riese, K. F. Gauß, E. Artin, I. Newton, and general surveys. Regularly H. Wußing lectured about the history of sciences and mathematics. He edited textbooks which received much attention. Under his influence the ``Karl-Sudhoff-Institut'' in Leipzig became a centre for research and teaching about history of mathematics. In 1998 the institute comprised one professor, two docents, eight assistants, as well as several doctoral students. Later when the wall was removed and a reorganization of scientific institutions in Germany took place, the Karl-Sudhoff-Institut consisted only of scientists for the history of medicin just as in the time before 1957. Apart from the remaining lack of interest in the subject ``history of mathematics'' by some ``pure'' mathematicians, H. Wußing had to struggle with the bureaucracy, inflexible communist cadre and everyday life in the GDR. For instance as director of the institute he was allowed to travel to conferences or lectures in the Western Countries, but not his wife, and his assistants or doctoral students. R. Siegmund-Schultze, student of H. Wußing, tells only little about the private life and H.Wussing's political opinions. H. Wußing seemed to have a quiet and moderate character. He was ``a very serious and conscientious person, who had little sense for casual and ironic remarks in political or non-political contexts''. In some cases H. Wußing corresponded with the intentions of Marxist theories. He described relations between mathematics, science, philosophy, and social themes due to his own conviction, but also to please the communists government. But more and more, on the verge of the fall of the wall his interest in these themes decreased.