[Born at Abergen, in Germany, 1758. Died at Bremen, in Germany, 1840.
Aged 82.]
In 1779, whilst studying medicine at Göttingen, he became known as an
astronomer by his observations on the comet of that year. He then
discovered a new method of calculating the orbits of comets. In 1802, he
discovered the planet Pallas; and in 1807, after an arduous search of
three years, the planet Vesta. Olbers was by profession a physician, and
he divided his time between the practice of medicine, and the pursuit of
his darling study. His observatory was the most complete known in
Germany at his time. He wrote but little, and his works are on abstruse
subjects. His valuable library was purchased at his death by the Emperor
of Russia, and deposited in the University of Pultowa.
[For description of this statue, see Handbook to Modern Sculpture.]