 Christian Wolff was born in Breslau (today, Wrocław) on 24 January 1679. By all accounts a gifted student, he developed an interest in theology and mathematics during his time in Gymnasium, and studied theology and mathematics at the University of Jena and then in Leipzig, gaining his Magister at Leizpig in 1702. His subsequent Habilitationsschrift on introducing mathematical method to practical philosophy drew Leibniz’s attention to him. They began a correspondence that continued until Leibniz’s death in 1716, and which covered topics from mathematics to metaphysics. Partially through Leibniz’s support, Wolff was appointed to a vacant chair in mathematics at the Friedrichs-Universität in Halle, delivering his inaugural lecture in 1707.