Humboldt University Humboldt-Universität

The building in Berlin's Mitte district occupied by Humboldt University was originally erected by J. Boumann in 1748-66, to the design of Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, as a palace for Frederick the Great's brother Prince Henry. In 1810, however, Frederick William III made it over to the University which had been founded by Wilhelm von Humboldt. Humboldt wrote in 1809: "The University in Berlin, which is now really decided upon, with the two Academies and all the institutes, the library, the observatory, the art gallery, etc., are to be brought together in one large institution.

The King is giving them a substantial sum by way of revenue, settled on real estate but to be paid in full only gradually, as the finances improve, and he is presenting to the University Prince Henry's palace and to the Academy the whole building, of which up to now it possessed only hal.f" The University was accordingly named the Frederick William University after its royal benefactor. The King was anxious to demonstrate during the period of French occupation that "although we have lost some of our physical power, we still possess our intellectual power." The lawns in front of the University contain memorials to some of its famous scholars, including the Brothers Grimm, Planck, Einstein and Schleiermacher. On each side of the portal stand statues of the Alexander Brothers and of Wilhelm von Humboldt. After being severely damaged in the last war teaching recommenced in January, 1946. In 1949, the University was renamed the Humboldt University after its founder. Today some 15,000 students are on its register.