# Otto Spaniol

> German university professor and computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q15428297](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15428297)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/otto-spaniol

## Summary
Otto Spaniol was a German university professor and computer scientist known for his contributions to informatics and information science. He was a professor at RWTH Aachen University and made significant academic contributions in his field.

## Biography
- Born: April 11, 1942 in Otzenhausen, Germany
- Nationality: German
- Education: Diploma from Saarland University (1968), Doctor of Natural Sciences from Saarland University (1971)
- Known for: Academic contributions to informatics and information science
- Employer(s): RWTH Aachen University (primary employer), previously at Saarland University (1972-1976 as Juniorprofessor)
- Field(s): Informatics, Information Science

## Contributions
Otto Spaniol was a prominent academic in the field of computer science, particularly known for his work in informatics and information science. As a professor at RWTH Aachen University, he supervised numerous doctoral students including Kurt Geihs, Claudia Linnhoff-Popien, Andreas Becker, Frank Sausen, and others. His academic career spanned several decades, during which he contributed to the theoretical foundations and practical applications of information systems. Spaniol's research focused on computational systems for data storage and retrieval, aligning with the broader field of informatics that emerged in the 1950s. His work helped advance understanding in how information is classified, manipulated, stored, and disseminated in computer systems.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Otto Spaniol's primary field of work?
A: Otto Spaniol worked primarily in informatics and information science, focusing on computational systems for data storage, retrieval, and information management.

### Q: Where did Otto Spaniol work as a professor?
A: Otto Spaniol was primarily a professor at RWTH Aachen University, and previously served as a Juniorprofessor at Saarland University from 1972 to 1976.

### Q: Who were some of Otto Spaniol's doctoral students?
A: Otto Spaniol supervised numerous doctoral students including Kurt Geihs, Claudia Linnhoff-Popien, Andreas Becker, Frank Sausen, Jürgen Suppan-Borowka, Thulla Vogell, Peter Martini, Johannes Rückert, Thomas Welzel, and Andreas Mann.

## Why They Matter
Otto Spaniol made significant contributions to the field of informatics and information science through his academic work and mentorship of future researchers. His research helped advance understanding of computational systems for information management, which is fundamental to modern computing. As a professor at RWTH Aachen University, he influenced multiple generations of computer scientists through his teaching and supervision of doctoral students, many of whom went on to make their own contributions to the field. His work in information science helped establish theoretical foundations that continue to influence how we understand and develop systems for information classification, storage, and retrieval.

## Notable For
- Professor at RWTH Aachen University with decades of academic service
- Supervised numerous doctoral students who became prominent computer scientists
- Contributed to the theoretical foundations of informatics and information science
- Published extensively in academic literature (MR Author ID: 295198, Scopus Author ID: 6602582833)
- Maintained active research presence with multiple academic identifiers (DBLP, zbMATH, ACM Digital Library)

## Body
### Academic Background
Otto Spaniol completed his education at Saarland University, earning a Diploma in 1968 and a Doctor of Natural Sciences degree in 1971. His doctoral advisor was Günter Hotz, a prominent German mathematician and computer scientist.

### Professional Career
Spaniol's primary academic position was at RWTH Aachen University, where he worked as a professor. He also had a previous affiliation with Saarland University from 1972 to 1976, where he served as a Juniorprofessor. His work location was primarily in Aachen, Germany.

### Research Focus
His field of work encompassed informatics and information science, which involves the study of computational systems for data storage, retrieval, and information management. This field emerged in 1957 and focuses on the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information.

### Academic Legacy
Spaniol supervised numerous doctoral students throughout his career, including notable computer scientists like Kurt Geihs and Claudia Linnhoff-Popien. His academic contributions are documented through various scholarly identifiers including MR Author ID 295198, Scopus Author ID 6602582833, and DBLP Author ID.

### Publications and Recognition
He maintained an active research presence with publications indexed in major academic databases. His work is recognized through identifiers in zbMATH, ACM Digital Library, and other scholarly platforms, indicating a substantial academic output in his field.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Otto Spaniol",
  "jobTitle": "University Professor",
  "worksFor": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "RWTH Aachen University"},
  "nationality": {"@type": "Country", "name": "Germany"},
  "birthDate": "1942-04-11",
  "birthPlace": "Otzenhausen, Germany",
  "alumniOf": {"@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Saarland University"},
  "knowsAbout": ["Informatics", "Information Science"],
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48183"],
  "description": "German university professor and computer scientist known for contributions to informatics and information science"
}

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](http://www.nets.rwth-aachen.de/content/staff/homes/spaniol.html)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Integrated Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File