Leen Helmink Antique Maps

Georg Maurice Lowitz: The Scholar, Astronomer, and Cartographer

Georg Maurice Lowitz, born Georg Moritz Lowitz on February 17, 1722, in Fürth, Germany, was a distinguished figure in the realms of astronomy, geography, and cartography during the 18th century. Originating from a humble background in a handworker's family, Lowitz's career trajectory was marked by his autodidactic pursuit of knowledge, which saw him rise to prominence in several European academic and scientific circles.

Lowitz initially learned the trade of goldsmithing from Ferdinand Friedrich Waechtler, a globe maker in Fürth, but his passion soon shifted towards the sciences. His intellectual curiosity led him to work with the renowned Homann's cartographic office in Nuremberg, where he collaborated with Tobias Mayer, another significant figure in science. Here, he developed his skills in map-making and began contributing to the field of astronomy by engaging in mathematical and physical studies during his free time.

In 1751, Lowitz's self-taught capabilities earned him a position as a professor of mathematics at the Egidiengymnasium in Nuremberg. His academic career flourished, leading to further professorships; he became a professor of practical mathematics at the University of Göttingen in 1755 and later took charge of the Göttingen Observatory in 1762. His work in Göttingen was notable, though his time there was marked by challenges in establishing his authority alongside more established scholars like Mayer.

Lowitz's contributions to astronomy were particularly evident when he was part of the expedition to observe the 1769 transit of Venus from Gureyev (now Atyrau) near the Caspian Sea. His observations were conducted in collaboration with the Russian Academy of Sciences after he was appointed a professor of astronomy in Saint Petersburg in 1767. His work in Russia included not only astronomical observations but also geographical mapping, contributing to surveys for a canal between the Volga and Don rivers.

However, his life met a tragic end. While involved in these geographical projects, Lowitz was captured by the forces of the rebel leader Emelyan Pugachev during the Pugachev Rebellion and was killed in 1774 near Dmitrievsk (now Kamyshin), a grim conclusion to a life dedicated to science.

Lowitz's legacy includes several publications and maps, though many of his works were lost or destroyed. His name is remembered in places like the Lobitzstraße in Fürth, which honors his contributions to science and education. His map of the Philippines, a reduced version of the Murillo Velarde map published by the Homann Heirs in 1760, stands as a testament to his cartographic skills.

Georg Maurice Lowitz was a testament to the power of self-education and the pursuit of knowledge, traversing from humble beginnings to becoming an influential figure in European science, his life cut short by the tumultuous politics of his time, yet his work continues to be studied and appreciated for its historical and scientific value.