August Moebius was one of the nineteenth century's most influential mathematicians and astronomers. Written by six distinguished contributors, this book explores the work of Moebius and his fellow-German scholars, in particular the achievements which act as a mirror for the work being undertaken by his contemporaries around the world. The background to Moebius's life and labours is provided by John Fauvel. Gert Schubring examines the mathematical community in nineteenth-century Germany, while Allan Chapman describes the revolution in astronomy that took place during the period. Jeremy Gray analyses Moebius's contribution to geometrical mechanics and Norman Biggs traces his role in the development of topological ideas. Finally, Ian Stewart explores the legacy Moebius left to mathematics in our own century.