Editing Leipzig University

The '''Leipzig University ''' (Universität Leipzig), located in [[Leipzig]] in the [[Free State of Saxony]], [[Germany]], is one of the oldest [[University|universities]] in the world and the [[List_of_universities_in_Germany#Universities_by_years_of_existence|second-oldest]] university (by consecutive years of existence) in Germany. Famous alumni include [[Goethe]], [[Wagner]], [[Nietzsche]], [[Angela Merkel]], [[Cai Yuanpei]], [[Tycho Brahe]] and eight Nobel Prize winners.

The university was founded on December 2, 1409 by [[Frederick I, Elector of Saxony]] and his brother [[William II, Margrave of Meissen]], and originally comprised four faculties. Since its inception the university has engaged in teaching and research for over 600 years without interruption.

== History ==

=== 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.

== See also ==
* [[List of universities in Germany]]
* [[List of medieval universities]]
* [[Nobel laureates by university affiliation]]
* [[Leipzig school (sociology)]]
* [[Handelshochschule Leipzig (HHL)]]

==References==

== External links ==
* [http://www.uni-leipzig.de/ Leipzig University Website]
* [http://www.univerlag-leipzig.de/ ''Leipziger Universitätsverlag'' Publishing House]
* [http://americanstudies.uni-leipzig.de/ American Studies Leipzig website]
* [http://uni-leipzig.de/2009/geschichte_e.php History of the Leipzig University (English, German)]
* [http://ub.uni-leipzig.de/site.php?page=die_ubl/geschichte&lang=en&stil=fc History of the Library (German)]

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[[Category:Leipzig University|*]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Saxony]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in the 15th century]]
[[Category:1409 establishments]]