GOTTINGEN, or GOETTINGEN, is a city of Lower Saxony, in the electorate, (now kingdom,) of Hanover, and principality of Calenberg. It is situated on the small river Leine, in Longitude 9° 53' east, and Latitude 51° 32' north.
The university was founded by George 11. in the year 1734, and soon became one of the most celebrated and best frequented seminaries on the continent. It is believed to have suffered considerably during the oppressive occupa tion of Hanover by the French, and the military operations in the north of Germany, subsequent to the disastrous bat tle of Jena ; but it will probably recover, in some degree, its former prosperity, under the present favourable cir cumstances. The university possesses a noble library, consisting, it is said, of more than 150,000 volumes, a mu seum of natural history, an observatory, and other institu tions for the advancement of science. Connected with the university, are the Royal Society, the Philological Semina ry, and other scientific and literary institutions. Gottingen boasts of having cherished many individuals, eminent in different departments of learning ; among whom may be reckoned Mosheim, Michaelis, Mayer, Lichtenberg, Kist ner, Burger, Beckmann, Piitter, Heyne, Blumenbach, Mar tens, and many others whose names are familiar to those who are conversant with continental literature.
The town contains about 12,000 inhabitants, including the garrison and university. It was formerly a place of some strength ; but the fortifications have been demolish ed, and the rampart converted into a public walk. The woollen and hat manufattures are, besides the university, the principal support of the inhabitants.
Those who wish for a more particular description of Gottingen, and more minute information on the subject of its literary history, may consult Piitter's Versuch einer Aca dem. Gelehrten-Geschichte von der Univ. zu Gottingen, 2 vols. 8vo. 1788 ; and Rintel's Versuch einer skizz. Beach reib. von Gottingen, Berlin 1791, 8vo. (z)