Scientific activity of Bydgoszcz residents in the 2nd half of the 19th century and the early 20th century in the context of development of science in Europe

Abstract

Bydgoszcz became an important administrative, economic and military center in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Not very attractive, the city developed in terms of culture and science. The end of the 19th century marked the emergence of the first initiatives related to institutionalization of cultural and scientific life, developed earlier as amateur undertakings. The dominating role, due to social conditions and structure, was obviously played by the Germans. An “intermediate” role, associating amateurs, supporters and professionals in their field, was played by such organizations as Art Society, Historical Society, Technical Society, as well as numerous music societies and associations that had been active in that time in Bydgoszcz. To a lesser or larger extent they had been involved in cultural and scientific activities, and their popularization. In the beginning of the 20th century, coordination of all initiatives and thus management of scientific and cultural activities in the city was taken over by the German Art and Science Society in Bydgoszcz established in 1902. When Poland was annexed, the German authorities did not agree for establishing of a university in the city. However, in 1906 the research institution Emperor William Agricultural Institutes was opened, playing an important role in the scientific and economic life not only in Bydgoszcz, but across Poznań Province. The Royal-Prussian School of Industry and Artistic Crafts was founded in 1911. It was the only state art school in Poznań Province in that period.