Jacob Berzelius – the father of Swedish chemistry

Jacob Berzelius – the father of Swedish chemistry

Jacob Berzelius – the father of Swedish chemistry

Jöns Jakob Berzelius (1779–1848) was a Swedish physician and chemist. He is considered the father of modern chemistry.

Berzelius introduced the chemical symbol language with letters for the chemical elements and, for the first time, determined the exact atomic masses of a large number of elements. Berzelius developed the first model for understanding electrolysis and substance transformations by assuming that each particle has a positive and a negative charge (dualistic theory).

He discovered the elements cerium, selenium and thorium, and represented other elements in their elemental form for the first time (silicon, zirconium, titanium, tantalum, vanadium).

He was born on 20 August 1779 on the southern farm in Väversunda (now Berzeliusgården), in the southwesternmost part of what is now Vadstena Municipality.

For several years, there has been a small exhibition about Berzelius in the porch of Väversunda Church. This was supplemented by the Östgöta Dal ek. association with additional exhibits from Fenomenagasinet in Linköping since Östgötadagarna 2022 and is shown in Väversunda parish hall together with a short film about Berzelius' life and work.

The exhibition is open daily from 9 to 17. (summer time, same hours as Väversunda Church) and on other occasions.

A visit is recommended not only for adults, but even more so for school-age children.

Current exhibition in pictures
Väversunda parish hall: Jacob Berzelius (summertime, same hours as Väversunda Church)

Berzelius exhibition

Berzelius exhibition

Berzelius exhibition

Berzelius exhibition

Berzelius exhibition

Jacob Berzelius – the great chemist (trailer for the film, in swedish)



Jacob Berzelius, a passionate advocate of science

In addition to systematising chemistry in an easily understandable way, with a system of symbols such as H2O, C, Fe, etc., he discovered five new elements: cerium, selenium, silicon, zirconium and thorium. He is considered one of the world's foremost chemists, but in relation to his greatness, he is probably Sweden's most unknown celebrity. His birthplace, Väversunda Södergård, is now privately owned. A memorial stone from 1879 can be found at the house, and a small exhibition about Berzelius can be seen in the Väversunda parish hall (open daily from 1 May to 31 August, 9:00 to 17:00, and on other occasions).

The film was produced by Suntower Entertainment Group.