Editing Leipzig University (section)

=== Founding and development until 1900 ===

The university was modelled on the [[Charles University in Prague|University of Prague]], from which the German-speaking faculty members withdrew to Leipzig after the [[Jan Hus]] crisis and the [[Decree of Kutná Hora]]. The ''Alma mater Lipsiensis'' opened in [[1409 AD|1409]], after it had been officially endorsed by [[Pope Alexander V]] in his ''[[Bull of Acknowledgment]]'' on (September 9 of that year). Its first rector was [[Johann von Münsterberg]]. From its foundation, the [[Paulinerkirche, Leipzig|Paulinerkirche]] served as the university church. After the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] the church and the monastery buildings were donated to the university in [[1544 AD|1544]].
[[Image:Uniriese.jpg|thumb|Former main building ([[City-Hochhaus Leipzig|Skyscraper]] and white building).]]
During the first centuries the university grew slowly and was a rather regional institution. This changed, however, during the 19th century when the university became a world-class institution of higher education and research. Until the beginning of the [[Second World War]], Leipzig University attracted a number of renowned scholars and later [[Nobel Prize laureate]]s. Many of the university's alumni became important scientists.