Nicholas Zinin

Abstract

WE have already briefly alluded to the death of the veteran Russian chemist Prof. Zinin, which occurred at St. Petersburg, February 19. Nicholas Zinin was born August 13, 1812, at Choucha, in the Caucasus district. After completing the course of studies in the Government Gymnasium at Ssaratow, on the Volga, he entered the University of Kasan, where he is recorded as the recipient of two gold medals for superiority in mathematical and physical studies. In 1833 he finished the ordinary course of studies in the mathematical faculty. In 1836 he received the degree of Master of Sciences from the university, and in the following year was appointed assistant professor. At first his lectures were confined to physics and mechanics; later they embraced chemistry. At this epoch the educational authorities of Russia began to feel the necessity of a more intimate familiarity with the rapid progress then being made in chemistry in Occidental Europe, and it was decided to send the young professor to gain a personal knowledge of the methods then in vogue in the laboratories of the West for furthering chemical research. His face turned naturally towards Giessen, where Liebig had already gathered about him a brilliant circle of young and enthusiastic chemists of the most diverse nationalities. A special favourite of the great master, his abilities as an independent investigator were rapidly developed. After passing some years at Giessen, and in journeying through England, France, and Switzerland for the purpose of scientific observation, Zinin returned to Russia to receive the degree of Doctor of Sciences from the University of St. Petersburg. Until 1848 he continued in his professorship. At that date, however, attention had been so strongly drawn to his talents as a lecturer and as an investigator, that he was elected to the chair of chemistry in the Imperial Academy of Medicine at St. Petersburg. This position he continued to occupy until 1874, when he retired from active professional duties.