Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz

Gottfried Leibniz was the son of Friedrich Leibniz, a professor of moral philosophy at Leipzig.Leibniz's mother was Catharina Schmuck, the daughter of a lawyer and Friedrich Leibniz's third wife.At the age of seven, Leibniz entered the Nicolai School in Leipzig.As well as his school work, Leibniz studied his father's books.In 1661, at the age of fourteen, Leibniz entered the University of Leipzig.Leibniz then went to Jena to spend the summer term of 1663.By October 1663 Leibniz was back in Leipzig starting his studies towards a doctorate in law.A few days after Leibniz presented his dissertation, his mother died.After being awarded a bachelor's degree in law, Leibniz worked on his habilitation in philosophy.Leibniz declined the promise of a chair at Altdorf because he had very different things in view.