Digitisation and Cataloguing of the Scholarly Correspondence of Karl Ernst von Baer (1792-1876) in the University Library Gießen

• Applicant: Dr. Peter Reuter
• Subject Area: History of Science
• Term: from 2019 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 418870053

Karl Ernst von Baer (1792-1876) was "one of the dominant figures in the history of the natural sciences in the 19th century and as such of no lesser stature than Alexander von Humboldt" (Osterkamp, 2015). In addition to embryology, anatomy and morphology, he made significant contributions in anthropology, ethnography, geography and fishery. A particular focus of his research was directed towards theoretical questions of embryology and morphology and thereby he played an important role in the debate on the theory of evolution and its development.Due to Baer’s scientific reputation and his work in various cultural and political milieus (Estonia, Prussia and Russia), his estate is of extraordinary interest for the history of the sciences. This applies in particular to the scientific correspondence. Baer exchanged ideas with more than 1,000 persons all over the globe, primarily in Europe and particularly in Germany and Russia, but also in the USA, Japan and Indonesia. Among the correspondents are many of the most important scientific personalities of his time.The largest part of Baer’s scientific correspondence (4,400 letters) together with manuscripts and a large number of his printed writings is stored as partial estate in the University Library Giessen. An inventory of the partial estate is available since 1999 but it does not provide metadata for each individual letter.In the proposed project, the entire scientific correspondence of the Giessen partial estate is to be completely digitized and made accessible online. In the course of this, the form and content of all letters will be indexed in the Kalliope database. Since the letters have been published only occasionally so far, new indications of Baer’s role in the discussion about the theory of evolution and other topics from the scientific discourse of the 19th century can already be obtained in this way. In addition, the project intends to transcribe and edit a selection of outstanding letters (about 100) and to develop the basis for a cooperative, scientific indexing of the letters.In later, separately proposed projects, all letters should be transcribed and edited, thus creating the preconditions for a network analysis of the correspondence, which promises new insights especially in view of the diachronic development and differentiation of developmental theories in the 19th century. In addition, links between the correspondence and the manuscripts, diaries and drafts available in the Giessen-based partial estate can also be established. Perspectively, the integration of other parts of the estate, located in St. Petersburg and Tartu, as well as scattered, smaller correspondence parts would enable a comprehensive, historical reappraisal of the role of Karl Ernst von Baer.

• DFG Programme: Cataloguing and Digitisation (Scientific Library Services and Information Systems)