Bergman, TORBERN OLOF

Bergman, TORBERN OLOF, a celebrated Swedish chemist, born at Katharinaberg, in West Gothland, March 20, 1735. A student under Linnæus at Upsala in 1758, he was raised to the chair of Physics there, and in 1767 to that of Chemistry. Here he continued till his death, July 8, 1784. Bergman's earliest studies were in natural history; his later, in chemistry and mineralogy. His theory of elective or chemical affinities had an important place in the history of chemistry, and his work in mineralogy did much to prepare the way for a scientific classification of minerals. His dissertations are collected into 6 octavo vols. (Leip. 1779-81); and English translations of them fill 3 vols. (1784-85).