Immanuel Kant, German philosopher, 18th century.

Engraving by J Chapman made c 1812 of Kant (1724-1804) framed by an uruboros (snake devouring its own tail), symbol of infinity. Kant became profesor of logic and metaphysics at the university of Konigsberg, Prusia in 1770. Kant published a variety of articles on the natural sciences, geophysics and astronomy. He succesfully predicted the existence of Uranus 26 years before William Herschel officially discovered the planet. In later life Kant wrote a number of highly influential philosophical texts. These writings have been said to inspire the work of Hegel, Schelling and Fichte. Illustration from 'Encyclopaedia Londinensis, or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature' published in London, 1810-1829.