On January 14, 1978, Kurt Gödel, one of the most important logicians of the 20th century, died.
Gödel started to study physics and mathematics at the University of Vienna in 1924 and joined the Vienna Circle in 1926. After his graduation in 1930 he worked at the university.
With his 'Incompleteness Theorem' („Unvollständigkeitssatz“) Gödel showed in 1931 that in mathematical systems arithmetic, sentences can be constructed that are valid but can not be proved. Mathematical systems are thus incomplete. His groundbreaking theory, which later became the basis for modern theoretical computer science, made Gödel famous. He commuted from 1934 between Vienna and the United States.
After his teaching authorization had been "suspended" by the National Socialists for "political reasons" in 1938, Gödel felt compelled to emigrate and worked at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton until his death.
As honorary professor, he returned to the University of Vienna in 1966, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1978.
