LOMONOSOV 1711 1765 Lomonosov is an outstanding Russian

LOMONOSOV (1711 – 1765) Lomonosov is an outstanding Russian scientist whose name went down in history.

Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov was a Russian ü polymath, ü scientist ü and writer, who made important contributions to *literature, *education, *and science.

EDUCATION Mikhail Lomonosov was born in the family of a fisherman not far from Archangelsk. When he was ten, young Lomonosov had to work with his father. Though he learnt his books by heart and knew letters, arithmetic and grammar, that wasn’t enough for him. So he decided to walk to Moscow. When Lomonosov was 19, he obtained admission into the Slavic Greek Latin Academy. The noblemen’s sons studying with him, made fun of him. He lived on three kopecks a day, but his progress was very rapid. In only 5 years he completed a 12 -year course, finishing at the top of his class.

FOREIGN EDUCATION MARBURG UNIVERSITY IN HESSE n n n In a year he was sent to St Petersburg Academy of Sciences. His ability and diligence attracted the attention of the professors. As one of three best students he was sent abroad to study in Germany.

ST PETERSBURG UNIVERSITY n Upon his return he was appointed the professor of chemistry at St Petersburg University.

ACHIEVEMENTS For versatility Lomonosov has no equal in Russian science.

DISCOVERIES Among his discoveries was the atmosphere of Venus. He was the first to discover the vegetable origin of coal.

SPHERES OF SCIENCE n His spheres of science were natural science, chemistry, physics, mineralogy, history, art, philology and others.

POETRY Lomonosov was also a poet, who played an important role in the formation of the Russian literary language.

MOSCOW UNIVERSITY Lomonosov’s living memorial is the Moscow University which he founded in 1755.

OTHER RECOGNITIONS n n A lunar crater bears his name, as does a crater on Mars. The underwater Lomonosov Ridge in the Arctic Ocean was named in his honour.