Distinguished German physicist (1845-1923) who discovered X-rays in 1895, for which he was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. LS in German, signed “W. C. Rontgen,” one page both sides, 5 x 7.75, University of Würzburg Physics Institute letterhead, February 12, 1895. Letter to a colleague, in part (translated): "There is a plan to cut off part of the botanical garden of our university and to use it as a construction site. In the name of the Philosophy Department and with the agreement of my colleague Professor v. Sachs, I am taking the liberty to address two questions to you: 1. How large is the undeveloped area of your botanical garden? 2. What do you think is the minimum size area to satisfy the current requirements of teaching and researching biology? I thank you in advance for your effort." In fine condition.
Founded in 1696 as a medicinal garden for a hospital, the University of Würzburg’s botanical garden became part of the university in 1854 and was relocated near the Physics Institute in 1873. In 1895, a proposed building project threatened the garden’s existence, but it was successfully defended through the efforts of Röntgen, then university rector, and his colleagues. That same year, Röntgen made his groundbreaking discovery of X-rays, a contribution that quickly earned international recognition and culminated in the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. Although the garden was nearly destroyed during World War II and later moved outside the city in 1960, its former site now commemorates Röntgen’s achievement with the X-ray Monument.
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