Otto Neugebauer (1899-1990) (Q2836998)

This article describes the attitude of Otto Neugebauer towards history of science, in particular of ancient mathematics and astronomy. The authors emphasize the influence of the famous mathematicians at Göttingen, where Neugebauer completed his doctorate. At that time, the very foundations of mathematics were the object of intense discussion. Neugebauer chose to contribute to the foundations of mathematics (and later, of astronomy) by investigating their earliest history. In this, he always considered professional competence in the sciences as a prerequisite to meaningful historical analysis. His own work shows that he lived up to this ideal.