Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Berzelius, Johann Jakob, Baron

BERZELIUS, JOHANN JAKOB, BARON, a Swedish chemist, born in Ostgothland, Aug. 29, 1779. After graduating at Upsala, in 1804, he went to Stockholm, where he became an assistant to Sparrmann, who had accompanied Captain Cook in one of his voyages around the world; and at his death, in 1806, he succeeded him in the chair of chemistry, which he held for 42 years. His patient labors and ingenious investigations have done more to lay the foundations of organic chemistry than those of any other chemist. To him, chemistry is indebted for the discovery of several new elementary bodies, more especially selenium, thorium, and cerium; and to his skill as a manipulator may be traced many of the analytical processes at present in use. All the scientific societies of the world contended for the honor of enrolling his name among their members. He died in Stockholm, Aug. 7, 1848.