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— CH. 1 · PRAGUE ROOTS AND ACADEMIC START —

Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt

~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
5 sections

  • Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt entered the world on the 12th of April 1857 in Prague, Austria-Hungary. He studied chemistry at Charles University during his formative years. The institution provided a rigorous foundation for his future work. He earned his PhD there in 1881 after several years of study. This degree marked his transition from student to scholar. His early education set the stage for decades of scientific inquiry.

  • In 1881 he became professor at ETH Zürich shortly after earning his doctorate. Victor Meyer worked alongside him during this Swiss period. Their collaboration shaped early research directions in the region. Goldschmidt moved to Amsterdam in 1894 and 1895 to work with Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff. He returned to ETH as a full professor before leaving in 1901. The University of Oslo offered him a new position that same year. He remained there until retirement in 1929 at age 72.

  • His son Victor Goldschmidt was born in 1888. Victor later became a renowned mineralogist and founder of modern geochemistry. The two men shared a deep bond through their respective fields. Heinrich guided Victor's early intellectual development within the family home. They maintained close professional ties throughout their lives. Victor eventually took a professorship for mineralogy at Göttingen in 1929. This move brought them together again in Germany.

  • The rise of Nazism forced both father and son from Göttingen. They could no longer remain in Germany under the new regime. Father and son returned to Oslo in 1935 after being displaced. Their migration marked a dramatic shift from academic stability to exile. The political climate made continued research impossible in their German university. They sought safety and renewed work opportunities back in Norway. This displacement ended their time abroad but preserved their careers.

  • Goldschmidt served as thesis advisor for Nobel laureate Odd Hassel. His guidance helped shape the future of Norwegian chemistry. Many students found direction under his careful supervision. He influenced generations of scientists who followed him. His legacy lived on through those he taught directly. Goldschmidt died in Oslo on the 20th of September 1937. His death closed one chapter while another began for his students.

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1857 births1937 deaths19th-century Austrian chemists19th-century Norwegian scientists20th-century Austrian chemists20th-century Norwegian Jews20th-century Norwegian peopleAcademic staff of ETH ZurichAcademic staff of Heidelberg UniversityAcademic staff of the University of OsloAustrian chemistsCharles University alumniChemists from Austria-HungaryCzech JewsEmigrants from Austria-HungaryExpatriates in SwitzerlandExpatriates in the NetherlandsImmigrants to NorwayJews from Austria-HungaryMembers of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and HumanitiesMembers of the Norwegian Academy of Science and LettersMembers of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and LettersNorwegian chemistsNorwegian JewsNorwegian people of Czech descentScientists from Prague

Common questions

When and where was Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt born?

Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt entered the world on the 12th of April 1857 in Prague, Austria-Hungary. He studied chemistry at Charles University during his formative years.

What academic positions did Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt hold throughout his career?

Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt became professor at ETH Zürich in 1881 and later worked with Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff in Amsterdam between 1894 and 1895. He served as a full professor at the University of Oslo from 1901 until retirement in 1929.

Who is the son of Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt and what field did he study?

His son Victor Goldschmidt was born in 1888 and later became a renowned mineralogist and founder of modern geochemistry. Victor eventually took a professorship for mineralogy at Göttingen in 1929.

Why did Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt leave Germany and return to Norway?

The rise of Nazism forced both father and son from Göttingen because they could no longer remain in Germany under the new regime. Father and son returned to Oslo in 1935 after being displaced by the political climate.

When did Heinrich Jacob Goldschmidt die and who was one of his notable students?

Goldschmidt died in Oslo on the 20th of September 1937. He served as thesis advisor for Nobel laureate Odd Hassel during his time teaching in Norway.

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