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Torbern Bergman

 
Scientist: Torbern Olaf Bergman

Swedish chemist (1735–1785)

Bergman, who was born in Katrineberg, Sweden, studied at the University of Uppsala, at first reading law and theology before turning to science and mathematics. He was a prolific scientist, working in physics, mathematics, and physical geography as well as chemistry. After graduating with a master's degree in 1758, he became professor of mathematics at Uppsala in 1761 and later professor of chemistry and pharmacy in 1767.

Bergman carried out many quantitative analyses, especially of minerals, and he extended the chemical classification of minerals devised by Axel Cronstedt. He remained an adherent of the phlogiston theory and although he firmly supported the doctrine of constant composition his analyses were not as solidly based as those of his later compatriot Jöns Berzelius. His most influential work was probably Disquisitio de Attractionibus Electivis (1785; A Dissertation on Elective Attractions). He compiled extensive tables listing relative chemical affinities of acids and bases. Bergman gave early encouragement to Karl Scheele, some of whose work he published.

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Columbia Encyclopedia: Torbern Olof Bergman
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Bergman, Torbern Olof (tʊr'bərn ū'lôv bĕr'yəmän), 1735-84, Swedish chemist, physicist, and mineralogist. A professor at the Univ. of Uppsala from 1758, he developed a theory of chemical affinity, made improvements in the methods of chemical analysis and in the classification of rocks, and did important research in crystallography. He wrote A Dissertation on Elective Attractions (1775, tr. 1785). His collected works, Essays, Physical and Chemical, appeared in six volumes (1779-81, tr. 1791).
Wikipedia: Torbern Bergman
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Torbern Bergman

Torbern Olof Bergman (1735-1784)
Born March 20, 1735
Katrineberg, Sweden
Died July 8, 1784
Medevi, Sweden
Residence Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Nationality Flag of Sweden.svg Swedish
Fields Chemist and mineralogist
Institutions University of Uppsala
Alma mater University of Uppsala
Doctoral advisor Bengt Ferrner
Doctoral students Johann Afzelius
Known for Chemical affinity tables
Influences Carl von Linné

Torbern Olof Bergman (March 20, 1735 Katrineberg, Sweden, – July 8, 1784 Medevi, Sweden) was a Swedish chemist and mineralogist noted for his 1775 Dissertation on Elective Attractions, containing the largest chemical affinity tables ever published. Bergman was the first chemist to use the A, B, C, etc., system of notation for chemical species.

He was the son of Barthold Bergman and Sara Hägg. Torbern gained his education at the University of Uppsala, and received a Ph.D. in 1758. He then lectured at the university in physics and mathematics before becoming a professor of chemistry. He remained at this position for the rest of his life.

Bergman greatly contributed to the advancement of quantitative analysis, and he developed a mineral classification scheme based on chemical characteristics and appearance. He is noted for his research on the chemistry of metals, especially bismuth and nickel.

In 1771, four years after Joseph Priestley first created artificially carbonated water, Bergman invented a process to make carbonated water from chalk by the action of sulfuric acid. Finally he is noted for his sponsorship of Carl Wilhelm Scheele, whom some deem to be Torbern's "greatest discovery".

In 1764, Bergman was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

In 1771, he married Margareta Catharina Trast.

Publications

  • A Dissertation on Elective Attractions, 1775.
  • Essays, Physical and Chemical, 1779–1781.
  • Physick Beskrifning Ofver Jordklotet, 1766.

Further reading

  • Mostrom, Birgitta. (1957). Torbern Bergman: a bibliography of his works. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell. Includes over 300 items, including translations printed up to 1956.
  • Schufle, J.A. (1985). Torbern Bergman : a man before his time. Lawrence, Kan.: Coronado Press.
  • Smeaton, W.A. (1970). "Bergman, Torbern Olaf". Dictionary of Scientific Biography. 2. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 4–8. ISBN 0684101149. 

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Scientist. A Dictionary of Scientists. Copyright © Market House Books Ltd 1993, 1999, 2003. All rights reserved.  Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more
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