Hermann Grassmann - Linguist

Linguist

Disappointed at the inability of others to recognize the importance of his mathematics, Grassmann turned to historical linguistics. He wrote books on German grammar, collected folk songs, and learned Sanskrit. His dictionary and his translation of the Rigveda (still in print) were recognized among philologists. He devised a sound law of Indo-European languages, named Grassmann's Law in his honor. These philological accomplishments were honored during his lifetime; he was elected to the American Oriental Society and in 1876, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Tübingen.