Johann Gottfried Schmeisser facts for kids

Johann Gottfried Schmeisser (born 1767, died 1837) was a German scientist from the 1700s and 1800s. He was a traveler, a pharmacist (someone who prepares medicines), and a mineralogist (someone who studies minerals). He was also a member of important science groups like the Royal Society of London and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Early Life

Johann Gottfried Schmeisser was born on June 24, 1767, in a town called Osterode, near the Harz mountains in Germany. When he was young, he trained to become a pharmacist with Johann Ludwig Gosche in Bockenem. Later, he worked as a pharmacist in several German cities, including Hamburg, Brunswick, and Altona. In Altona, he became good friends with a nobleman named Baron Caspar Voght.

His Work and Travels

Schmeisser moved to London, England, because a famous scientist named Joseph Banks suggested it. In London, he became friends with James Edward Smith, who studied plants, and John Hunter, a surgeon. Schmeisser started teaching about pharmacy and minerals in London. He stayed in Britain for about seven years, from 1786 to 1793. He visited Britain again briefly in 1794 and 1795 with his friend Baron Caspar Voght.

Joining Important Societies

In 1794, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. This is a very old and respected group for scientists. Joseph Banks suggested him for this honor. In 1795, while traveling in Scotland, he was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is another important science group. He was also a member of the Linnean Society, which focuses on natural history.

Later Travels

In 1796, Schmeisser went back to the Altona area in Germany. He worked as a pharmacist on Baron Voght's estate, where the Baron built him a special laboratory. Later that year, he traveled to Paris with Georg Sieveking. Paris was still recovering from the French Revolution at that time. In 1798, he traveled with Johann Georg Busch to different parts of Germany, including the Harz region, Brunswick, Göttingen, and Hanover. Around 1822 and 1823, he spent some time in Copenhagen, Denmark. After that, he settled down in Hamburg, Germany.

Family Life

Johann Gottfried Schmeisser was married to Louise Janette Texier. Her father, Peter Texier, was a diplomat. They had three children: a son named Adolph, and two daughters named Louise Josephine Janette and Ida Charlotte.

Death

Johann Gottfried Schmeisser passed away on February 5, 1837, in Hamburg, Germany.