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Franz Ludwig von Cancrin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Franz Ludwig von Cancrin (February 21, 1738 in Breidenbach – 1812) was a German mineralogist, metallurgist, architect and writer.

Franz Ludwig von Cancrin

He was born into a German mining family where he was trained by his father in the science of mining. In 1764, he entered the service of the landgrave of Hesse-Kassel at Hanau, becoming professor of mathematics at the military academy, head of the civil engineering department of the state, director of the theatre and (1774) of the mint. A work on the copper mines of Elesse (1767) earned him a European reputation, and in 1783 he accepted from Catherine II of Russia the directorship of the famous Staraya salt-works, living thenceforth in Russia.[1]

In 1798 he became a councillor of state at St. Petersburg. He published many works on mineralogy and metallurgy, of which the most important, the Grundzüge der Berg- und Salzwerkskunde (12 vols, 1773–1791), has been translated into several languages.[1]

His son, Count Georg von Cancrin, or Kankrin (1774–1845), was an eminent Russian minister of finance[1] and the liaison with Alexander von Humboldt during his 1829 scientific expedition to Russia. The mineral of cancrinite is named after him.[2]

Main works

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References

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  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Cancrin, Franz Ludwig von". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 177.
  1. ^ a b c Chisholm 1911.
  2. ^ cancrinite Mindat.org