'Friedrich Adam Widder (also Frederick Adam Widder) born 15 january 1724 in Oppenheim, died 26 february 1784 in Groningen, was a German mathematician. Widder studied 1740 in Heidelberg and in 1744 at the university of Groningen. 1751 he became magister of philosophy and from 1752 on he gave lections on this subject. On 22 april 1767 he became ordinary professor of philosophy with a speech 'Oratie de sapientia Dei in minimis naturae operibus conspica'. In 1773 he became normal professor of philosophy and mathematics and was appointed as rector of the Alma Mater. Widder was a special member of the 'kurpfälzischen Akademie der Wissenschaften'. He became a reputation with the publication of Engelhards Handbuch 'Compendium phil. pract.' Johann Georg Meusel. Lexicon der vom Jahr 1750 bis 1800 verstorbenen deutschen Schriftsteller. Leipzig, 1815, Band 15, pp. 89 A. van der AA. Biographisch woordenboek der Nederlanden, bevattende levensbeschrijvingen van zoodanige personen, die zich op eenigerlei wijze in ons vaderland hebben vermaard gemaakt. Haarlem, 1877, Band 20, pp. 181-182