Will Kleber (1906-1970) - forerunner of modern crystallography at Humboldt University of Berlin

The 100th anniversary of the birthday of Will Kleber (1906‐1970) is reason to recall his role for establishing modern crystallography at the Humboldt University of Berlin. As professor for mineralogy between 1953 and his death he reorganized research and education emphasizing the interdisciplinary character of crystallography. This is outlined in the light of the international situation of crystallography at that time. In W. Kleber’s program for the academic education of crystallographers methodical knowledge and skills played an important role. This was closely connected with his extensive scientific work, in particular in the fields of crystal growth, epitaxy and topotaxy, and the real structure of crystals. An overview of the numerous diploma, doctoral and postdoctoral theses supervised by him is given. Often their subjects were agreed on together with industrial companies. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)