Wilhelm Wundt
Leipzig, Germany
Wundt room at University of Leipzig; Wundt's gravestone.
Wundt was born in 1832 in Neckerau, Germany, and died in 1920 in Grossbothen, near Leipzig. His work at Leipzig spanned the years 1875 to 1920.
To Wundt we attribute the founding of psychology as an experimental science. The year 1879 marks the origins of the discipline as a rigorous, laboratory-based enterprise. Neither the original laboratory room nor Wundt's Leipzig house has survived.
There are three locations of Wundtian artifacts in Leipzig. The Wundt Room at the University contains an interesting exhibit of writings, personal effects, and original laboratory equipment. Wundt's gravestone is to be found in the Südfriedhof. In addition, there is the so-called Wundt Eiche (Wundt oak), marking a particular location in Clara-Zetkin-Park where Wundt regularly stopped to sit while on his daily walk. The oak commemorates the precision of Wundt's daily routines. It has been said that one could set one's watch by the passing by of Wundt each day.
The Wundt Room at the University is located at #14/20 Seeburgstrasse, a building housing faculty and staff of the Psychology Department. Admission to the room is controlled, so one should make advanced reservation to view the collection. I worked this out through email contact with the University's Psychology Department. They provided me with the proper email address of the resident historian (who since my visit has retired). During my two days in Leipzig, my guide was most helpful and gracious, and (hopefully) quite understanding of my ancient and rusty German. We did this without a translator. Be prepared for the possibility that a translator may be needed to assist during your visit to Leipzig.
The Wundt Room at the University.
This single room houses the Wundt artifacts available for viewing. Original manuscripts are not here; they are archived in the University's library. This room contains a few personal effects and several pieces of furniture, including Wundt's office desk (with a photocopied reproduction of his student registry) and his high writing desk, at which he composed while standing on a low bench. Smaller brass instruments are displayed in glassed cases, while a few larger pieces of equipment are arrayed on the floor. A large glassed bookcase contains the complete works of this prolific author. Most, but not all of the works are first editions, including a copy of the Grundzüge der physiologischen Psychologie, which Boring (A history of experimental psychology, 1950, p. 322) characterizes as "...the most important book in the history of modern psychology,...". Much of the written material was donated to the University by Wundt's daughter. Finally, there are several highly interesting photographs adorning the walls.
Workdesk with Facsimile of Student Registry
Tall Writing Desk; Wundt Stood on Low Bench While Writing
Writing desk is against back wall. This photo indicates the
height of the desk relative to a person of average stature, and shows that a low
bench would have been required for writing at this
desk while standing. Wundt was of normal height, as indicated by
the length of his leather-handled walking stick, visible in my right hand.
Collected Works of Wundt; Most are First Editions
A Display Case of Smaller Brass Instruments
One of the Larger Instruments on Display
Leipzig is readily reached by highway or rail. There is an information kiosk in the station which will provide directions to Seeburgstrasse. From station to Seeburgstrasse can be navigated by foot in 20 minutes or so. Taxis are also readily available. If walking, exit the station to Willy-Brandt-Platz. Continue straight away from the station through the edge of the old city, along Goethestrasse or a parallel street. At some point you have to cross a busy ring-road to the left. Look for Goldschmidstrasse on the left. On Goldschmidstrasse, continue to Nürnbergerstrasse and turn right. At the intersection with Seeburgerstrasse, turn right. #14/20 will be shortly ahead on the left-hand side.
Wundt's Gravestone.
Wundt is buried in Südfriedhof (South Cemetery), some distance southeast of the city center. Reach the cemetery either by auto along Prager Strasse, or by trolley from Augustusplatz in the city center, opposite the Gewandhaus concert hall. The trolley travels along Prager Strasse. Exit trolley at the stop near the famous and large Völkerschlachtdenkmal (a huge memorial structure; you can't miss it if you are in the neighborhood). Walk to the end of the parking lot here away from the street, to the south entrance to the cemetery. Several paths enter the cemetery to the left. I believe it is the third pathway (of four?) you should enter. Proceed to the fifth right crosspath. Turn right. Wundt's stone sits directly on the left side of this path a short distance ahead. If you reach the cross-roadway, you have gone too far.
Wundt's Gravestone
Close-up of Wundt's Gravestone Inscription
Grossbothen, Germany
The Wundt house.
Wundt had a longstanding summer/weekend/vacation house in Grossbothen, an agricultural village about 25 miles southeast of Leipzig. It was here that he died in 1920. Among other attractions to this location, Grossbothen hosted a cadre of professionals, including Nobel Prizewinner Wilhelm Ostwald. Although Ostwald was honored for his work in chemistry, it should be noted that he also dabbled in color, and was well-known for systematizing color, much as one might systematize in chemistry. Ostwald's estate "Energia," maintained as a museum, is located shortly beyond the Wundt House.
By rail this is a journey of only 45 minutes or so. From the rail station to Wundt's house is an easy 20-minute venture. Walking toward the town, turn right at the first choicepoint. Then follow the main street (this is highway B107) along to the left as you enter the village. The Wundt House sits adjacent to the road on the right-hand side, shortly after you cross through an intersection. A plaque on the house clearly marks its presence. If driving from Leipzig, leave the city center along Prager Strasse southeastward toward Grimma. In Grimma, turn southward on highway B107 directly to Grossbothen.
When I visited Grossbothen in March 2002, the house presented a rather dismal facade. It is privately owned, thus inaccessible to visitors. A "for sale" sign was posted on the building. It is obvious that the structure needs considerable investment of time and money for restoration. My guide wistfully hoped that it might pass into possession of the University for preservation and professional usage. However, there seemed to be no prospect of this happening.
The Wundt House, Grossbothen
Plaque on Wundt House, Grossbothen
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