Founding the First Chemistry Laboratory in Russia: Mikhail Lomonosov's Project

Abstract

This article, the third in a series about the Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765), covers the first decade of his research at the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, from his return from an educational his trip abroad in 1741, to the mid-1750s. Lomonosov's major focus was on the establishment of the first Russian laboratory used to introduce modern experimental chemistry and physics methods both to original research and education. The lab supported studies of the physics of colors, chemistry and physics of glasses and training of the Academy students. This article describes how Lomonosov, first an Adjunct Professor and then as a young Professor, fought to create the chemistry lab, and then to establish a broad program of experiments and tests there. The construction of laboratories to be used not just for research but also education only became widespread in the early 19th century, but Lomonosov's laboratory had a significant impact on the early development of the Academy and on Russian science.