One of the broadest scholarly minds at the University of Göttingen during the eighteenth century, Johann Beckmann helped establish the theoretical basis for scientific agriculture in Germany and pioneered a rational approach to technological innovation and government.
Born at Hoya, Hanover, on June 4, 1739, Beckmann studied theology at Göttingen, but soon abandoned the ministry in favor of the natural sciences. At the invitation of Anton Friedrich Büsching, he accepted a position to teach natural history at the Lutheran academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1763, however when Büsching left only two years later, Beckmann did as well. Returning to Germany by way of Scandinavia, where he met with Linnaeus, Beckmann was appointed Extraordinarius in Philosophy at his alma mater in 1763, transferring to the chair in rural economy seven years later.
Rooted firmly in Enlightenment theories of rationality and systematic thought, Beckmann turned an intense focus on several discrete facets of applied knowledge. One of his earlier monographs, Grunsätze der Teutschen Landwirtschaft (Göttingen, 1779-1791), went through numerous editions and was influential in introducing scientific principles to German agriculture. Perhaps more characteristic, however, was his encyclopedic five-volume Beiträge zur Geschichte der Erfindungen (1786-1805), in which Beckmann traced the histories of dozens of major inventions used in the trades, the arts and sciences, and at home.
Beckmann was equally well regarded by his contemporaries for his writings on political economy. His Beyträge zur Oekonomie, Technologie, Polizey und Camaralwissenschaft (Göttingen, 1779-1791) exerted a strong influence on Cameralist governmental theory in late eighteenth century Germany, while his Anleitung zur Handlungswissenschaft (Göttingen, 1789), Vorbereitung zur Warenkunde (Göttingen, 1793), and Physikalisch-ökonomische Bibliothek, 33 vols. (Göttingen, 1770-1778) were all widely distributed. Beckmann was elected to the Konigl. Societät der Wissenschaften at Göttingen in 1772. He died in Göttingen in 1811.
From the guide to the Grundsätze der teutschen landwirthschaft vorgetragen von Johann Beckmann, ca. 1810, (American Philosophical Society)
