Popular lectures on scientific subjects. 2nd ser. / by Hermann von Helmholtz ; translated by E. Atkinson.

  • Hermann von Helmholtz
Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Popular lectures on scientific subjects. 2nd ser. / by Hermann von Helmholtz ; translated by E. Atkinson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/320 page 2
    to pronounce a competent judgment on the principal side of Magnus's activity, namely, the chemical. Hence what remains for me to do is greatly re- stricted. I shall scarcely venture to speak as the biographer of Magnus, but only of what he was to us and to science, to represent which is our allotted task. His life was not indeed rich in external events and changes; it was the peaceful life of a man who, free from the cares of outer circumstances, first as member, then as leader of an esteemed, gifted, and amiable family, sought and found abundant satisfaction in scientific work, in the utilisation of scientific results for the instruction and advantage of mankind. Hein- rich Gustav Magnus was born in Berlin on May 2, 1802, the fourth of six brothers, who by their talents have distinguished themselves in various directions. The father, Johann Matthias, was chief of a wealthy commercial house, whose first concern was to secm'e to his children a free development of their individual capacity and inclinations. Our departed friend showed very early a greater inclination for the study of mathe- matics and natural philosophy than for that of lan- guages. His father arranged his instruction accor- dingly, by removing him from the Werder Gymnasium and sending him to the Cauer Private Institute, in which more attention was paid to scientific subjects. Yrom. 1822 to 1827 Magnus devoted himself en-
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3