Archive of Anton Pannekoek

Antonie (Anton) Pannekoek was an astronomer and political activist (1873-1960) and was known for his astronomical studies and his Marxist theories. He started his studies in mathematics and physics at the University of Leiden in 1891. In the years before, he had already started to immerse himself into the subject of natural history and astronomy. After working as an engineer at the Rijkscommissie voor Graadmeting and Waterpassing, he became third observer at the astronomical observatory in Leiden in 1899. It was here Pannekoek obtained his PhD (1902). Additionally, his time at the observatory was where he turned away from liberalism towards socialism. In Leiden he became one of the central figures of the social-democratic worker’s party (SDAP). In 1906 Pannekoek and his family moved to Berlin, where he became a teacher in Marxist theory at the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschland (SPD). During his time in Germany, he wrote for several social-democratic newspapers and journals. Due to WWI, Pannekoek and his family returned to The Netherlands in 1914. Here he went on to teach physics and cosmography at several secondary schools. After the outbreak of the Russian Revolution in 1917, Pannekoek initially supported the Soviet Union but later came in conflict with Lenin over theoretical issues. Lenin denounced Pannekoek for being a naïve radical leftist. A year later the University of Amsterdam offered Pannekoek a lectureship in astronomy, which he accepted. Pannekoek had also been offered the assistant directorship in Leiden, but there the Dutch government intervened and prevented hiring an outspoken communist at a state university. With the help of the Amsterdam local municipal council Pannekoek managed to establish an astronomical institute, better known today as the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy. From the work of the Indian physicist Meghnad Saha, Pannekoek learned about the theory of ionization equilibrium in gases. By applying this new knowledge to the evolution of stars, Pannekoek became the founding father of astrophysics in the Netherlands. His work would be recognized around the world, for example with an honorary doctorate by Harvard University and the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. This collection perfectly illustrates the balance between his scientific and political interests and ambitions.