Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2
Important Figures in Analytical Chemistry
from Germany: From the Middle Ages
to the Nineteenth Century
D. Thorburn Burns
The Period of Alchemy and Assay Analysis
The earliest recorded analytical methods are those for the precious metals of gold
and silver. Of major importance for later assayers are the detailed and beauti-
fully illustrated accounts of fire assay by Agricola and by Ercker in the sixteenth
century.
A
lbertus
M
agnus
Saint, was Albert von Bollstädt, commonly known as
Albertus Magnus (the English translation of which is Albert the Great,) (born ca.
1200 Lauingen, died 15 November 1280, Cologne) [
1
a,
2
,
3
,
4
] (for portrait see
Fig.
2.1
). Albert's principal importance derives from the role he played in bring-
ing Aristotle back to preeminence by making his writings readily accessible with
detailed discussions and explanations and introducing Greek and Arab science
into the universities of the Middle Ages. He studied liberal arts at Padua and in
1223 joined the Dominican Order, became bishop of Regensburg in 1260 but
relinquished this post in 1262 to be able to devote more time to study. The latter
part of his life was spent in preaching and teaching mainly in Cologne. He was
canonized in 1931 and declared patron of all who cultivate the natural sciences
in 1941. Thomas Aquinas was one of his most important students [
1
b]. Albert
wrote a large number of works dealing with theology, minerals and natural history,
which in time appeared in printed form and now are conveniently available in vari-
ous editions of
Opera Omnia
[
5
,
6
]. He included sections on chemical practices
and alchemy in
De Mineralibus
[
5
a,
7
] and was aware of the frauds of alchemists.
Albert was interested in alchemical theories, but was not convinced of the alche-
mist's claims to make gold as he had not observed it being carried out and realized
that chemical explanations were needed for many natural phenomena. Albert was
probably the first to use the term “affinity” in the sense of chemical relation or
attraction; sulphur burns metals because of its affinity. He knew how to carry out
the cupellation procedure and the cementation process for the separation of silver
and gold. When having some alchemical gold, which had come into his posses-
sion, tested it was found that after several firings, it was reduced to dross. Despite
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