Jöns Jacob Berzelius

Swedish systematizer who gave chemistry its letter symbols and several of its elements.

Core Principles & Analysis

• He introduced the modern one- and two-letter element symbols and formula notation.
• He discovered or co-discovered cerium, selenium, and thorium.
• He coined the words catalysis, polymer, isomer, and protein.

Specifications & Metrics

• ERA: 1779 – 1848