Michael Sendivogius
Michael Sendivogius (/ˌsɛndɪˈvoʊdʒiəs/; Polish: Michał Sędziwój; 2 February 1566 – 1636) was a Polish alchemist, philosopher, and medical doctor. He is famous as being the first to purify certain compounds and create certain acids. He was also the first to work out that a certain gas was given off when heating potassium nitrate. This gas was oxygen, and he was the first to identify it. He also worked out that this gas was in air, and called it the "food of life".[1][2]
Michael Sendivogius | |
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| Born | 2 February 1566 |
| Died | 1636 (aged 69–70) |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Other names | Michael Sendivogius, Sędzimir |
| Alma mater | University of Vienna, University of Altdorf, University of Leipzig, University of Cambridge |
| Occupation | Alchemist, philosopher, writer, and medical doctor |
| Known for | The concept of central nitre |
Michael Sendivogius Media
Alchemist Sendivogius, demonstrating alchemy to King Sigismund III of Poland, oil on board by Jan Matejko (1867).
Illustration from the book Sędziwój by Józef Bohdan Dziekoński, 1896 edition
References
- ↑ "MICHAEL SENDIVOGIUS, ROSICRUCIAN, and FATHER OF STUDIES OF OXYGEN" (PDF). Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ↑ Bugaj, Roman (1971). "Michał Sędziwój – Traktat o Kamieniu Filozoficznym". Biblioteka Problemów (in polski). 164: 83–84. ISSN 0137-5032.