Paul Kogerman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Nikolai Kogerman
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| Born | 5 December 1891 Tallinn, Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire
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| Died | 27 July 1951 (aged 59) |
| Citizenship | Estonian |
| Alma mater | University of Tartu Imperial College London ETH Zurich |
| Known for | Research in oil shale |
| Awards | Légion d'honneur (1927) Order of the White Star (1938) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemist |
| Institutions | University of Tartu Tallinn University of Technology |
Paul Nikolai Kogerman (born December 5, 1891, in Tallinn – died July 27, 1951, in Tallinn) was an important Estonian chemist. He is famous for starting modern research into oil shale, a special type of rock that can be used to make oil.
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Early Life and Education
Paul Kogerman grew up in a family where his father worked at a gas factory. He went to elementary school from 1901 to 1904. After that, he attended a town school until 1908.
To earn money, Kogerman taught in church areas near Tallinn. In 1913, he finished his studies at the Alexander Gymnasium in Tallinn. He then started studying chemistry at the University of Tartu and graduated in 1918.
During the Estonian War of Independence, he fought in a group made of teachers from Tallinn. From 1919 to 1920, he received a special scholarship from the government. This allowed him to study at the Imperial College London in England. In 1921, he became a qualified chemical technologist from the University of London. The next year, in 1922, he earned his Master of Sciences degree.
A Career in Chemistry
From 1921 to 1936, Paul Kogerman worked at the University of Tartu. He wrote his Master's thesis about how oil shale breaks down when heated. After this, he was chosen as a "docent" (a university lecturer) of Organic Chemistry in 1922.
He quickly became an "extraordinary professor" in 1924. By 1925, he was a "full professor," which is a top teaching position. He also gave guest lectures at the ETH Zurich in Switzerland in 1926 and 1933. In 1927 and 1928, he was a guest lecturer at Harvard University in the United States.
In 1934, he earned his doctorate in Zürich. His doctoral work focused on how certain chemical compounds with "double bonds" combine and form larger molecules.
Professor and Rector
From 1936 to 1941, Kogerman was a professor of organic chemistry at the Tallinn University of Technology. He was also the "rector" (the head or president) of the university from 1936 to 1939.
In 1938, Kogerman was chosen to be a member of the new Estonian Academy of Sciences. After the Academy was re-established in 1946, he was chosen again. He also led the Estonian Naturalists' Society from 1929 to 1936.
Serving as a Minister
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Paul Kogerman
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| Estonian Minister of Education | |
| In office 1939–1940 |
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| Preceded by | Aleksander Jaakson |
| Succeeded by | Johannes Semper |
From 1938 to 1939, Kogerman was a member of the National Council, which was an important government body. From October 1939 until June 1940, he served as the Minister of Public Education. This meant he was in charge of all education in Estonia.
Later Years and Research
In 1941, Paul Kogerman and his family were sent away by Soviet authorities to a difficult place in Russia. He was allowed to return to Estonia earlier than expected in 1945.
After returning, he continued his work. From 1945 to 1951, he was the head of the organic chemistry department at Tallinn University of Technology. He also served as the director of the Chemistry Institute of the Academy of Sciences from 1947 to 1950.
Awards and Recognition
Paul Kogerman received several important awards for his work. In 1927, he was given the Legion of Honour, a very high award from France. In 1938, he received the Second Class of the Order of the White Star, a major Estonian award.
To honor his memory, the Paul Kogerman scholarship was created in 2006. This scholarship helps students studying science and chemical technology at the Tallinn University of Technology.
Why Paul Kogerman Was Important
Paul Kogerman became known around the world for his studies on oil shale. He started the first organized research into this material. In 1925, he set up a special laboratory with Professor Michael Wittlich to study oil-bearing shales.
Kogerman did important work on understanding what oil shale is made of and where it comes from. He also studied its chemical properties and how it behaves when heated. His research helped Estonia use its natural resources better.
