Leo August Pochhammer

Leo August Pochhammer (25 August 1841, Stendal – 24 March 1920, Kiel) was a Prussian mathematician who was known for his work on special functions and introduced the Pochhammer symbol, now generally used for expressing hypergeometric functions in a compact notation.

Along with the German mathematician and astronomer Georg Daniel Eduard Weyer, Pochhammer was appointed one of the directors of the seminar.

In his rectorate speech on March 6, 1893, he made a "contribution to the question of university studies for women".

He advocated offering women and girls more educational opportunities as at that time women were not allowed to enter university in Germany, but largely denied their aptitude and interest in university studies.

In 1895 he was promoted to "Geheimer Regierungsrat", an unpaid governor position and a title of honour.