Christian Samuel Weiss

Christian Samuel Weiss (26 February 1780 – 1 October 1856) was a German mineralogist born in Leipzig.

Christian Samuel Weiss
Born(1780-02-26)26 February 1780
Leipzig, Germany
Died1 October 1856(1856-10-01) (aged 58)
Cheb, Czech Republic
Alma materLeipzig University
Scientific career
FieldsPhysics
Mineralogy
Mathematics
Doctoral advisorAbraham Gottlob Werner
Notable studentsGustav Rose
Franz Ernst Neumann

Following graduation, he worked as a physics instructor in Leipzig from 1803 until 1808. and in the meantime, conducted geological studies of mountain formations in Tyrol, Switzerland and France (1806–08).[1] In 1810 he became a professor of mineralogy at the University of Berlin, where in 1818/19 and 1832/33, he served as university rector.[1] He died near Eger in Bohemia.

Weiss is credited for creating parameters of modern crystallography, and was instrumental in making it a branch of mathematical science. He stressed the significance of direction in crystals, considering crystallographic axes to be a possible basis for classification of crystals. He is credited for introducing the categorization schema of crystal systems, and has a basic law of crystallography named after him called the "Weiss zone law".

Relief of Christian Samuel Weiss at the entrance of the Naturkundemuseum in Berlin-Mitte.

Works by Weiss that have been translated into English
  • "On the methodical and natural distribution of the different systems of crystallisation" Edinburgh : Printed for A. Constable, 1823.
  • "On the crystallographic discoveries and systems of Mohs and Weiss" (with Friedrich Mohs); Edinburgh : Printed for A. Constable, 1823.[2]

References
  1. Christian Samuel Weiss — Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin biographical information
  2. WorldCat Identities Most widely held works by Christian Samuel Weiss


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