Dmitri Mendeleyev was not just a scientist; he was a visionary who transformed the way we understand chemistry. Born in 1834 in Tobolsk, Russia, he faced numerous challenges that shaped his remarkable journey. His dedication to science and education led to groundbreaking discoveries, most notably the formulation of the periodic table.
Who Was Dmitri Mendeleyev?
After receiving an education in science in Russia and Germany, Dmitri Mendeleyev became a professor and conducted research in chemistry. Mendeleyev is best known for his discovery of the periodic law, which he introduced in 1869, and for his formulation of the periodic table of elements. He died in St. Petersburg, Russia, on February 2, 1907.
Youth and Education
Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleyev was born on February 8, 1834, in the Siberian town of Tobolsk in Russia. His father, Ivan Pavlovich Mendeleyev, went blind around the time his final son was born, and died in 1847. His mother, Mariya Dmitriyevna Kornileva, worked as the manager of a glass factory to support herself and her children. When the factory burned down in 1848, the family moved to St. Petersburg.
Mendeleyev attended the Main Pedagogical Institute in St. Petersburg and graduated in 1855. After teaching in the Russian cities of Simferopol and Odessa, he returned to St. Petersburg to earn a master's degree. Mendeleyev continued his studies abroad with two years at the University of Heidelberg.
Discovery of the Periodic Law
As a professor, Mendeleyev taught first at the St. Petersburg Technological Institute and then at the University of St. Petersburg, where he remained through 1890. Realizing he was in need of a quality textbook to cover the subject of inorganic chemistry, he put together one of his own, The Principles of Chemistry.
While he was researching and writing that book in the 1860s, Mendeleyev made a discovery that led to his most famous achievement. He noticed certain recurring patterns between different groups of elements and, using existing knowledge of the elements' chemical and physical properties, he was able to make further connections. He systematically arranged the dozens of known elements by atomic weight in a grid-like diagram; following this system, he could even predict the qualities of still-unknown elements. In 1869, Mendeleyev formally presented his discovery of the periodic law to the Russian Chemical Society.
At first, Mendeleyev's system had very few supporters in the international scientific community. However, it gradually gained acceptance over the following two decades with the discoveries of three new elements that possessed the qualities of his earlier predictions. In London in 1889, Mendeleyev presented a summary of his collected research in a lecture titled "The Periodic Law of the Chemical Elements." His diagram, known as the periodic table of elements, is still used today.
Other Achievements and Activities
Beyond his theoretical work in chemistry, Mendeleyev was known for his practical scientific studies, often for the benefit of the national economy. He was involved in research on Russian petroleum production, the coal industry, and advanced agricultural methods. He acted as a government consultant on issues ranging from new types of gunpowder to national tariffs.
After leaving his teaching post in 1890, Mendeleyev remained occupied with scientific activities. He contributed numerous articles to the new Brockhaus Encyclopedia, and in 1893 he was named director of Russia's new Central Board of Weights and Measures. He also oversaw multiple reprints of The Principles of Chemistry.
Mendeleyev was married twice, to Feozva Nikitichna Leshcheva in 1862 and to Anna Ivanova Popova in 1882. He had a combined six children from those two marriages.
Later Years and Legacy
In the later years of his career, Mendeleyev was internationally recognized for his contributions to the field of chemistry. He received honorary awards from Oxford and Cambridge, as well as a medal from the Royal Society of London. His impact on science continues to be felt, as the principles he established in the periodic table serve as a foundation for modern chemistry.
Death
Mendeleyev died on February 2, 1907. At his funeral in St. Petersburg, his students carried a large copy of the periodic table of the elements as a tribute to his work. His legacy lives on through the countless students and scientists who have been inspired by his contributions to science.
Quick Facts
- Birth Year: 1834
- Birth Date: February 8, 1834
- Birth City: Tobolsk
- Birth Country: Russia
- Gender: Male
- Best Known For: Discovering the periodic law and creating the periodic table of elements.
- Industries: Science and Medicine
- Astrological Sign: Aquarius
- Schools: University of St. Petersburg, Main Pedagogical Institute, University of Heidelberg
- Death Year: 1907
- Death Date: February 2, 1907
- Death City: St. Petersburg
- Death Country: Russia
Quotes
- “There is nothing in this world that I fear to say.”
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