Peter Ascanius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Ascanius
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| Born | 24 May 1723 Aure, Møre og Romsdal, Norway.
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| Died | 4 June 1803 (aged 80) |
| Citizenship | Norwegian |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biologist |
| Academic advisors | Carl Linnaeus Johan Gottschalk Wallerius |
Peter Ascanius (born May 24, 1723 – died June 4, 1803) was a smart scientist from Norway and Denmark. He studied living things (a biologist) and rocks and minerals (a geologist). He even taught these subjects as a professor of zoology and mineralogy.
Growing Up and Learning
Peter Ascanius was born in a place called Aure, Norway in Norway. He finished school at Trondheim Cathedral School in 1742. After that, he went to the University of Copenhagen to study medicine. He earned his first degree there in 1747.
Later, around 1752, Peter went to Uppsala University in Sweden. There, he learned from two very famous scientists. One was Carl Linnaeus, who is known for naming and classifying plants and animals. The other was Johan Gottschalk Wallerius, who taught him about chemistry and metals.
From 1753 to 1758, Peter went on a big study trip, sometimes called a Grand Tour. He traveled to many countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, England, France, Italy, and Austria. This trip helped him learn even more about the natural world.
His Work as a Scientist
When Peter Ascanius came back from his travels in 1759, he became a professor. He taught about natural history at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. He taught subjects like zoology (the study of animals) and mineralogy (the study of minerals).
In 1768, he went on an important research trip along the coast of Norway. He traveled from Kristiansand all the way to Bergen to collect samples and study nature. He also visited an iron mine in Sweden called Taberg in 1753.
From 1771 to 1776, Peter worked as a mining inspector at the silver mines in Kongsberg, Norway. Then, from 1776 to 1788, he became a senior mining official. He was in charge of how iron was melted and shaped at the Kongsberg Silver Mines. He also taught at the Kongsberg School of Mines.
Later Years
Peter Ascanius moved back to Copenhagen in 1788. He passed away on June 4, 1803. He was buried in a church in Copenhagen called Christian's Church, Copenhagen.
See also
- Category:Taxa named by Peter Ascanius
