Johann Arfvedson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johan August Arfwedson
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Johan August Arfwedson
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| Born | 12 January 1792 |
| Died | 28 October 1841 (aged 49) |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Alma mater | Uppsala University |
| Known for | Discovered lithium |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry |
Johan August Arfwedson (born January 12, 1792 – died October 28, 1841) was a Swedish chemist. He is famous for discovering the element lithium in 1817. He found it by separating it as a salt.
Early Life and Education
Johan August Arfwedson was born on January 12, 1792. His family was very wealthy. His father was Jacob Arfwedson and his mother was Anna Elisabeth Holtermann.
Johan started studying at Uppsala University in 1803. He earned a degree in Law in 1809. Later, in 1812, he got a second degree in mineralogy. Mineralogy is the study of minerals. After finishing his studies, he got a job at the Royal Board of Mines that same year.
Discovering Lithium
While working in Stockholm, Arfwedson met a famous chemist named Jöns Jacob Berzelius. Berzelius let Arfwedson use his private laboratory. This is where Arfwedson made his big discovery in 1817.
He was studying a mineral called petalite. During his analysis (a careful study) of this mineral, he found a new element. He named this element lithium.
Later Recognition
In 1821, Johan August Arfwedson was chosen to be a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. This was a great honor for his work in chemistry.
A rare mineral was later named arfvedsonite in his honor. This shows how important his contributions were to science.
