Franz Ludwig von Cancrin
Encyclopedia
Franz Ludwig von Cancrin (February 21, 1738–1812) was a German mineralogist
and metallurgist
.
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-Darmstadt 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.
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. His son, Count Georg von Cancrin
, or Kankrin (1774–1845), was the eminent Russian minister of finance. The mineral of cancrinite
is named after him.
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...
and metallurgist
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
.
He was born into a German mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
family where he was trained by his father in the science of mining. In 1764, he entered the service of the landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt at Hanau
Hanau
Hanau is a town in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis, in Hesse, Germany. It is located 25 km east of Frankfurt am Main. Its station is a major railway junction.- Geography :...
, 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
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
the directorship of the famous Staraya salt-works, living thenceforth in Russia.
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. His son, Count Georg von Cancrin
Georg von Cancrin
Count Yegor Frantsevich Kankrin was born Ludwig Daniel von Cancrin in Hanau. He accompanied his father, the mineralogist Franz Ludwig von Cancrin, to Russia in 1797, joining the imperial service and changing his name to Georg. In 1823, he was appointed Minister of Finance and held the office for...
, or Kankrin (1774–1845), was the eminent Russian minister of finance. The mineral of cancrinite
Cancrinite
Cancrinite is a complex carbonate and silicate of sodium, calcium and aluminium with the formula Na6Ca2[2|Al6Si6O24]·2H2O. It is classed as a member of the feldspathoid group of minerals; the alkali feldspars that are poor in silica. Yellow, orange, pink, white or even blue, it has a vitreous or...
is named after him.