54 moments

1. Birth in Leipzig

   1646-07-01 · Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

   Leibniz was born in Leipzig, then in Saxony. This is the opening point of his documented life chronology. Date is New Style (Gregorian), as specified by the source.

2. Nikolaischule pupil

   1653-07-01 · Nikolaischule, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

   Leibniz attended Leipzig's Nikolaischule during his childhood and early adolescence. The card date marks the documented beginning of an attendance period lasting until Easter 1661.

3. Begins university studies

   1661-04-01 · Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

   Leibniz began studying at the University of Leipzig, his father's former university.

4. Summer-semester enrolment at Jena

   1663-06-20 · University of Jena, Jena, Thuringia, Germany

   Leibniz enrolled at the University of Jena for the summer semester, extending his legal and philosophical education beyond Leipzig. Jena is in modern Thuringia; the source uses the historical territorial designation Saxony.

5. Returns to Leipzig

   1663-10-01 · Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

   After the Jena summer semester, Leibniz returned to Leipzig for the winter term.

6. Secretary in Nuremberg

   1666-01-01 · Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany

   Leibniz held his first paid post as secretary to a Nuremberg alchemical society. The source gives a 1666–1667 employment period; the card uses its beginning year.

7. Leaves Leipzig

   1666-09-01 · Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

   After Leipzig declined to grant his legal doctorate, Leibniz left the city and pursued his doctorate elsewhere. The source supports only late-September precision.

8. Enrols at Altdorf

   1666-10-04 · University of Altdorf, Altdorf bei Nürnberg, Bavaria, Germany

   Leibniz enrolled in the law faculty at Altdorf, where he soon completed his legal doctorate. Altdorf bei Nürnberg is used as the modern gazetteer name.

9. Defends legal doctorate thesis

   1666-11-15 · University of Altdorf, Altdorf bei Nürnberg, Bavaria, Germany

   At Altdorf, Leibniz defended the thesis for his licence and doctorate in law, establishing his formal legal credentials. The preceding entry identifies the institution as the University of Altdorf.

10. Frankfurt visit

    1667-11-01 · Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany

    During an intended grand tour toward the Rhine and Holland, Leibniz was in Frankfurt.

11. Visit to Mainz

    1667-11-01 · Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

    Leibniz visited Mainz, where his association with Johann Christian von Boineburg and the elector's court developed into employment.

12. Departs for Paris

    1672-03-19 · Paris, Kingdom of France

    Leibniz left for Paris on a diplomatic mission that became a formative four-year residence and period of mathematical study. The exact departure date is supported; arrival in Paris is supported only as occurring at the end of March.

13. First London visit and Royal Society demonstration

    1673-02-01 · London, England, United Kingdom

    While in London, Leibniz demonstrated his calculating machine to the Royal Society, an important moment in his early scientific networking. The source places his first London visit from late January to late February 1673.

14. Returns to Paris from London

    1673-03-01 · Paris, Kingdom of France

    Leibniz returned to Paris after his first London visit and resumed the work that led toward his calculus. The source supports beginning-of-month rather than an exact day.

15. Leaves Paris for Hanover service

    1676-10-04 · Paris, Kingdom of France

    Leibniz left Paris after four years, beginning his journey toward a Hanover court appointment that would anchor the rest of his career.

16. Second London visit

    1676-10-18 · London, England, United Kingdom

    On his route from Paris to Hanover, Leibniz made a second documented visit to London. The card date marks the documented start of the visit.

17. Conversations with Spinoza at The Hague

    1676-11-01 · The Hague, Dutch Republic, Netherlands

    Leibniz was in the Dutch Republic and held extended conversations with Baruch Spinoza at The Hague shortly before taking up his Hanover post.

18. Arrives in Hanover

    1676-12-01 · Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany

    Leibniz arrived in Hanover to serve Duke Johann Friedrich as court counsellor and librarian; Hanover became his primary residence. The source supports mid-December, not an exact arrival day.

19. Repeated Harz mining journeys

    1680-01-01 · Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Harz Mountains, Lower Saxony, Germany

    Leibniz repeatedly travelled into the Harz mining district while pursuing technical schemes for the Hanoverian court. Clausthal-Zellerfeld is a representative coordinate for the broader Harz mining district; the card marks the beginning of the documented travel period.

20. Stay at Rheinfels

    1687-11-01 · Rheinfels Castle, Sankt Goar, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

    

    On his archival research journey for the Guelf history, Leibniz spent two weeks at Rheinfels visiting Landgrave Ernst of Hesse-Rheinfels. Rheinfels is represented by the castle site at Sankt Goar.

21. Hosted at Sulzbach

    1688-01-01 · Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Bavaria, Germany

    

    Leibniz spent several days in Sulzbach as the guest of Christian Knorr von Rosenroth during his southern German journey. Sulzbach is represented by modern Sulzbach-Rosenberg.

22. Arrival in Munich

    1688-03-01 · Munich, Bavaria, Germany

    

    Munich was the original principal destination of this stage of Leibniz's journey to gather historical material for the Guelf dynasty. The source supports end-of-March precision.

23. Meeting at Graupen

    1688-03-01 · Krupka, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic

    

    Leibniz met his long-standing associate Johann Daniel Crafft at Graupen in Bohemia while travelling toward Munich. Graupen is the historical German name of modern Krupka.

24. Two weeks in Regensburg

    1688-03-01 · Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany

    

    Leibniz spent two weeks in Regensburg during the overland archival journey that preceded his arrival in Munich. The source dates the surrounding itinerary to the end of March.

25. Archival discovery in Augsburg

    1688-04-01 · Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany

    

    At Augsburg, Leibniz found documentary proof linking the Este and Brunswick-Lüneburg houses, central to his dynastic historical mission.

26. First extended Vienna stay

    1688-05-08 · Vienna, Habsburg Monarchy, Austria

    

    Leibniz arrived in Vienna and remained until February 1689, meeting Emperor Leopold I and pursuing church-reunification discussions. The card date marks the documented arrival.

27. First Venice stay

    1689-03-04 · Venice, Republic of Venice, Italy

    

    Leibniz was in Venice during the opening Italian phase of his archival and intellectual journey. The card date marks the beginning of the documented stay.

28. Arrival in Rome

    1689-04-14 · Rome, Papal States, Italy

    

    Leibniz arrived in Rome, where he participated in scholarly exchanges and pursued archival and ecclesiastical interests.

29. Second Rome stay

    1689-05-01 · Rome, Papal States, Italy

    

    Leibniz returned to Rome, remaining there until 20 November and taking part in meetings of the Accademia Fisico-Matematica. The source supports mid-May rather than a specific return day.

30. Visit to Naples

    1689-05-01 · Naples, Kingdom of Naples, Italy

    

    During his Italian journey, Leibniz visited Naples before returning to Rome in mid-May. The source supports only beginning-of-May precision.

31. Florence visit

    1689-11-01 · Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Italy

    

    After leaving Rome, Leibniz went to Florence, where he met Rudolf Christian von Bodenhausen and continued work on dynamics.

32. Departure from Florence

    1689-12-22 · Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Italy

    

    Leibniz left Florence for Bologna as he moved toward the Este court in Modena, the official goal of his Italian itinerary.

33. Bologna stop

    1689-12-28 · Bologna, Papal States, Italy

    

    Leibniz stayed in Bologna en route to Modena and then departed for the Este court.

34. Este archives at Modena

    1690-01-01 · Modena, Duchy of Modena and Reggio, Italy

    

    Leibniz consulted the Este archives at Modena, the principal archival objective of his Italian journey for the Guelf history.

35. Second Venice stay

    1690-02-01 · Venice, Republic of Venice, Italy

    

    Leibniz returned to Venice, met Michel Angelo Fardella, and remained until his departure on 24 March. The card date marks the beginning of the documented stay.

36. Este tombs at Vangadizza

    1690-02-10 · Abbey of Vangadizza, Badia Polesine, Veneto, Italy

    

    Leibniz visited the ancient Este tombs at Vangadizza and identified the precise relationship between the Este and Guelf houses. Coordinates represent Badia Polesine, the documented locality of the former Vangadizza monastery.

37. Return visit to Vienna

    1690-04-01 · Vienna, Habsburg Monarchy, Austria

    

    On his return from Italy, Leibniz was again in Vienna for several weeks before travelling back to Hanover. The source supports a date range; the card date marks the end-of-April beginning.

38. Returns to Hanover from Italy

    1690-06-01 · Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany

    

    Leibniz returned to Hanover after more than two years of archival travel through southern Germany, Austria, and Italy. The source supports mid-June rather than an exact day.

39. Wolfenbüttel library directorship

    1691-01-14 · Herzog August Library, Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony, Germany

    

    Leibniz assumed duties directing the ducal library at Wolfenbüttel, which became his second regular residence. Wolfenbüttel spelling is modernized in the place field.

40. Extended periods in Berlin

    1698-11-01 · Berlin, Brandenburg-Prussia, Germany

    

    Leibniz began a series of extended Berlin stays, building a close relationship with Electress Sophie Charlotte and advancing plans for a scientific society. The source describes cumulative extended periods rather than continuous residence; the card marks their documented beginning.

41. Vienna church-union talks

    1700-10-01 · Vienna, Habsburg Monarchy, Austria

    

    Leibniz was in Vienna after an imperial summons for further talks on reunifying the Catholic and Protestant churches. The card date marks the end-of-October beginning of the stay.

42. Residence at Lützenburg and Berlin

    1702-06-11 · Lützenburg Palace, Berlin, Brandenburg-Prussia, Germany

    

    Leibniz resided at Lützenburg and in Berlin, where discussions with Sophie Charlotte and her circle contributed to the development of the Theodicy. Lützenburg is the historical name of the palace later known as Charlottenburg Palace; the card date marks the beginning of the documented residence period.

43. Dresden scientific-society mission

    1704-01-30 · Dresden, Electorate of Saxony, Germany

    

    Leibniz travelled to Dresden to promote establishment of a Saxon Society of Sciences. The card date marks the documented beginning of the visit.

44. Arrival at Lützenburg

    1704-08-27 · Lützenburg Palace, Berlin, Brandenburg-Prussia, Germany

    

    Leibniz arrived at Lützenburg for a Brandenburg sojourn lasting more than six months and met Wilhelmine Caroline of Ansbach. Lützenburg is the historical name of the palace later known as Charlottenburg Palace.

45. Berlin residence

    1706-11-01 · Berlin, Brandenburg-Prussia, Germany

    

    Leibniz spent another prolonged residence in Berlin during the period in which he remained active in Prussian scientific and court affairs. The card date marks the documented beginning of the stay.

46. Vienna visit

    1708-12-01 · Vienna, Habsburg Monarchy, Austria

    

    Leibniz was in Vienna late in 1708, continuing his regular movement between Hanoverian, Prussian, and imperial spheres.

47. Short return to Leipzig

    1709-01-01 · Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

    

    Leibniz made a short visit to Leipzig before continuing to Berlin and then returning to Hanover. The source identifies the Leipzig visit only as occurring in early January.

48. Final Berlin sojourn

    1711-02-25 · Berlin, Brandenburg-Prussia, Germany

    

    Leibniz began his final documented sojourn in Berlin, where he remained until the beginning of May. The card date marks the documented beginning of the final stay.

49. Audience with Peter the Great at Torgau

    1711-10-30 · Torgau, Saxony, Germany

    

    Leibniz had an audience with Tsar Peter the Great at Torgau, part of his growing advisory relationship with Russia.

50. Audience with Peter the Great at Carlsbad

    1712-11-06 · Karlovy Vary, Bohemia, Czech Republic

    

    Leibniz met Peter the Great at Carlsbad; days later he was nominated Russian privy counsellor and adviser on scientific and mathematical matters. Carlsbad is the historical German name of modern Karlovy Vary.

51. Final extended Vienna residence

    1712-12-01 · Vienna, Habsburg Monarchy, Austria

    

    Leibniz lived in Vienna from mid-December 1712 to early September 1714, serving within the imperial political and scientific milieu. The card date marks the documented beginning of the residence period.

52. Returns to Hanover

    1714-09-14 · Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany

    

    Leibniz arrived in Hanover after departing Vienna, finding that the elector and court had already left for London following the Hanoverian succession.

53. Meetings with Peter the Great at Bad Pyrmont

    1716-01-01 · Bad Pyrmont, Lower Saxony, Germany

    

    In the summer before his death, Leibniz met Peter the Great at the spa town of Bad Pyrmont. The source supports summer 1716 but not a specific month or day.

54. Death in Hanover

    1716-11-14 · Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany

    

    Leibniz died in Hanover after becoming bedridden with gout and arthritis earlier that month.