Samuel Reyher und sein \textit{In Teutscher Sprache vorgestellter Euclides} (Q2644685)

This paper has the following parts: Samuel Reyher (1635--1714): polyhistorian and baroque naturalist; Early Euclid-editions in German; Samuel Reyher's deutscher Euclides (1697 and 1699). In the first part a short biography of Samuel Reyher and his educational development (in Leipzig and Leiden) is given. When in 1665 in the city of Kiel a new university called Christiana Albertina or Alma mater Chiloniensis was founded then one of the leading scientists of this academy was the mathematician Samuel Reyher who did not only teach mathematics but also physics, astronomy, engineering, and jurisprudence. His versatile scientific output is described: \textit{Mathesis Mosaica} (1679), \textit{Kurtz gefasste allgemeine Rechtsgeschichte} (1702), \textit{Historia iurium universalis} (1711) a.o. But he was best known for his \textit{In Teutscher Sprache vorgestellter Euclides} (1697, 1699), one of the earliest translations of Euclid's \textit{Elements} into German. In this book he tried to prove the Euclidean 5th postulate (the postulate [axiom] of parallels) -- believing that he was successful -- but regardless of that joined this postulate to the unprovable Grundsätze, like Euclid. In the second part all earlier Euclid-editions in German are mentioned, starting from the 16th century. The third part gives an analysis of the German translations of Euclid's \textit{Elements} (1697, 1699). The title-pages are reproduced, also the portraits of Samuel Reyher.