Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

Question:  I need info on a Swedish Chemist named Berzelius. What is a good
reference book about his life and work? What can you tell me about
him? Is there anything on the net about him?
Thank you.
james k taylor

Answer 1:  You can read a great deal about Berzelius' diverse scientific 
accomplishments in "The Historical Background of Chemistry" by 
Henry M. Leicester (Dover Press, NYC, less than $10 - my copy 
cost $6- their address is Dover Publications Inc., 180 Varick 
Street, NYC 10014 - they are an AWESOME source for inexpensive, quality 
paperback science and mathematics books).
 
A much more personal discussion of his life is found in "100 Great Scientists" 
by Jay Greene (Washington Square Press, 1964). I'll quote from the first 
paragraph here: "The Swedish bridegroom was nervous. His palms were moist, his face
was crimson, and his throat was desert-dry. When a man marries for the first 
time at the age of fifty-six, Jons Berzelius reasoned, he has a right to be 
nervous. As the wedding guests took their seats in the church, they sympathized 
with Bezelius' discomfort. Short, stout, and bespectacled, he was far from the 
romantic ideal. The fact that he was marrying a beautiful twenty-four-year-old 
girl added to the incongruity of the occasion..." The article goes on to
say that his marriage, which lasted for the remaining 12 years of his life, 
was a very happy one, and during this time he was honored by his country, his 
king, and scientists all over the world.  Born 1779, died 1848.
-topper
 
Answer 2:  I forgot to add that if you write to Dover they will gladly send you 
a free catalog. Make sure you mention that you are interested in math/science books.
topper 
 
Answer 3:  Berzelius was a swedish chemist responsible for the determination of 
atomic weights and to develop  the sytem of chemical symbols.  Any good book of 
Story of Science will  surely deals with Berzelius life I don't know anything 
in the Net... look up at Chemistry History will have  at least his biography... 
I'll look and tell you later.
mabel m rodrigues