25.06.2026 Foundation Prof. Dr. Eduard Rosenthal | 100th anniversary of his death

June 25, 2026, marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Prof. Dr. Eduard Rosenthal. The distinguished jurist, social reformer, and two-time (pro-)rector of the University of Jena is known, among other things, as the “father” of the Thuringian Constitution.

As legal counsel to Ernst Abbe, he played a key role in shaping the early years of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. He supported the drafting of the foundation’s bylaws and provided important impetus for a corporate philosophy oriented toward the common good.

“The commitment to combining economic success with the promotion of charitable interests continues to shape the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung to this day. By using the dividends from our two foundation-owned companies, ZEISS and SCHOTT, to create opportunities for research, we are carrying on the mission of our founding fathers in a way that is relevant to today,” emphasizes Dr. Felix Streiter, Executive Director of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung.

Together with Ernst Abbe, Rosenthal was also involved in social projects, for example as a founding member of the Jena Building Cooperative and as the long-time chairman of the supporting association for the reading room sponsored by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung - today’s Ernst Abbe Library.

By commemorating Eduard Rosenthal, the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung honors a figure whose legacy continues to shape not only the foundation but also society as a whole to this day.