The New International Encyclopædia/Ritter, Heinrich

RITTER, Heinrich (1791-1869). A German historian of philosophy. He was born at Zerbst, Anhalt, November 21, 1791; studied theology and philosophy at Halle, Göttingen, and Berlin, and in 1824 was created professor extraordinarius at Berlin University. In 1833 he accepted a call to the university at Kiel, and went thence in 1837 to Göttingen. His great work, Geschichte der Philosophie (Hamburg, 1829-53; 2d ed., vol. i.-iv., 1836-38), is still of value. In addition he wrote works on logic, metaphysics, and ethics. Ritter was largely influenced by Schleiermacher. He died February 3, 1869.