Thorstein Hiortdahl
Encyclopedia
Thorstein Hallager Hiortdahl (4 May 1839 – 29 October 1925) was a Norwegian chemist, mineralogist and politician.
He was born in Bergen
as a son of merchant Samuel Baar Hiortdahl (1807–1863) and Augusta Jacobine Hallager (1814–1892). In September 1869 he married Anna Karine Nilson Hals (1847–1908).
He finished his secondary education in 1857 at Bergen Cathedral School, and enrolled in medicine studies at the University of Christiania
. In 1861 he defected, fascinated by the field of chemistry
. He instead studied chemistry, mineralogy
og crystallography
; from 1864 to 1865 in Paris
. He was behind the term partial isomorphy, and the mineral hiortdahlite was named after him.
He was a research fellow from 1866 and an associate professor from 1868 to 1872. From 1872 to 1918 he was a professor; during this period, from 1887 to 1892 he was the dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. He was succeeded by Eyvind Bødtker
in the professor chair. He wrote several books, and his textbooks were reprinted several times. He also contributed to the biographical dictionary Norsk biografisk leksikon
.
Hiortdahl was a co-founder of the Norwegian Chemical Society
in 1893, and chaired the society from 1906 to 1912. When stepping down he became an honorary member. He also taught chemistry at the Norwegian Military College
from 1868 to 1912, chaired the supervising committee for the Higher College of Agriculture at Aas from 1881 to 1896, and was also a member of Kristiania city council from 1883 to 1892. He was decorated as a Commander of the Order of St. Olav in 1911, and as a Knight of the Order of the Polar Star
. He died in October 1925 in Oslo
.
He was born in Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
as a son of merchant Samuel Baar Hiortdahl (1807–1863) and Augusta Jacobine Hallager (1814–1892). In September 1869 he married Anna Karine Nilson Hals (1847–1908).
He finished his secondary education in 1857 at Bergen Cathedral School, and enrolled in medicine studies at the University of Christiania
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. In 1861 he defected, fascinated by the field of chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
. He instead studied chemistry, mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
og crystallography
Crystallography
Crystallography is the experimental science of the arrangement of atoms in solids. The word "crystallography" derives from the Greek words crystallon = cold drop / frozen drop, with its meaning extending to all solids with some degree of transparency, and grapho = write.Before the development of...
; from 1864 to 1865 in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He was behind the term partial isomorphy, and the mineral hiortdahlite was named after him.
He was a research fellow from 1866 and an associate professor from 1868 to 1872. From 1872 to 1918 he was a professor; during this period, from 1887 to 1892 he was the dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. He was succeeded by Eyvind Bødtker
Eyvind Bødtker
Eyvind Bødtker was a Norwegian chemist. He spent most of his career at the University of Kristiania, where he was a professor from 1918.-Personal life:...
in the professor chair. He wrote several books, and his textbooks were reprinted several times. He also contributed to the biographical dictionary Norsk biografisk leksikon
Norsk biografisk leksikon
Norsk biografisk leksikon is the largest Norwegian biographical encyclopedia.The first edition was issued between 1921 and 1983, including 19 volumes and 5,100 articles...
.
Hiortdahl was a co-founder of the Norwegian Chemical Society
Norwegian Chemical Society
The Norwegian Chemical Society is a professional society for chemists. Formed in 1893, its purpose is to "promote the interest and understanding of chemistry and chemical technology"....
in 1893, and chaired the society from 1906 to 1912. When stepping down he became an honorary member. He also taught chemistry at the Norwegian Military College
Norwegian Military College
The Norwegian Military College was a military educational institution in Norway.It was established on 16 February 1817, with headquarters at Akershus Fortress...
from 1868 to 1912, chaired the supervising committee for the Higher College of Agriculture at Aas from 1881 to 1896, and was also a member of Kristiania city council from 1883 to 1892. He was decorated as a Commander of the Order of St. Olav in 1911, and as a Knight of the Order of the Polar Star
Order of the Polar Star
The Order of the Polar Star is a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I of Sweden on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Seraphim....
. He died in October 1925 in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
.