Michael Sendivogius

Polish alchemist, philosopher, and medical doctor

Michael Sendivogius (/ˌsɛndɪˈviəs/; Polish: Michał Sędziwój; 2 February 1566 – 1636) was a Polish alchemist, philosopher, and medical doctor. He is famous as being the first to purify certain compounds and create certain acids. He was also the first to work out that a certain gas was given off when heating potassium nitrate. This gas was oxygen, and he was the first to identify it. He also worked out that this gas was in air, and called it the "food of life".[1][2]

Michael Sendivogius
Born(1566-02-02)2 February 1566
Died1636(1636-00-00) (aged 69–70)
NationalityPolish
Other namesMichael Sendivogius, Sędzimir
Alma materUniversity of Vienna, University of Altdorf, University of Leipzig, University of Cambridge
Occupation(s)Alchemist, philosopher, writer, and medical doctor
Known forThe concept of central nitre

References

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  1. "MICHAEL SENDIVOGIUS, ROSICRUCIAN, and FATHER OF STUDIES OF OXYGEN" (PDF). Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  2. Bugaj, Roman (1971). "Michał Sędziwój – Traktat o Kamieniu Filozoficznym". Biblioteka Problemów (in Polish). 164: 83–84. ISSN 0137-5032.