# Arnold Sommerfeld

_German physicist (1868-1951)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/arnold-sommerfeld
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Arnold Johannes Wilhelm Sommerfeld was a German theoretical physicist who pioneered developments in both atomic and quantum physics, and also educated and mentored many students for the new era of theoretical physics.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 5 December 1868 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Königsberg ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P19))
- **Died:** 26 April 1951 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P570))
- **Place of death:** Munich ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Germany ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P27))
- **Occupation:** theoretical physicist; mathematician; university teacher; physicist ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P106))
- **Education:** University of Königsberg; Altstadt Gymnasium ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P69))
- **Spouse:** Johanna Sommerfeld ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P26))
- **Positions held:** president (1919–1920); Geheimrat ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P39))
- **Awards:** Max Planck Medal; Lorentz Medal; Oersted Medal; Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art; Matteucci Medal; Foreign Member of the Royal Society; honorary doctor of the University of Calcutta ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078#P166))

## Questions

**When was Arnold Sommerfeld born?**  
Arnold Sommerfeld was born on 5 December 1868 in Königsberg.

**What positions has Arnold Sommerfeld held?**  
Positions held by Arnold Sommerfeld include: president (1919–1920); Geheimrat.

**Where did Arnold Sommerfeld study?**  
Arnold Sommerfeld was educated at University of Königsberg, Altstadt Gymnasium.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Arnold Sommerfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Sommerfeld) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q77078](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77078) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Portrait of Arnold Sommerfeld.jpg by Collection(s) W. F. Meggers Collection Copyright Holder American Institute of Physics (AIP) (Attribution)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Arnold_Sommerfeld.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Arnold Sommerfeld, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Portrait of Arnold Sommerfeld.jpg — Collection(s) W. F. Meggers Collection Copyright Holder American Institute of Physics (AIP), Attribution.

## Cite this page

"Arnold Sommerfeld". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/arnold-sommerfeld. Retrieved 4 November 2026.