Wallerius first held a position in Lund, but the medicine students were few and
Wallerius’ income was consequently low. He then returned to Uppsala in hope of a
better position. When Professor Olof Rudbäck the younger died in March 1740,
Wallerius applied for the chair in medicine, but so did his former teacher Rosén, as
did Carl Linnaeus, who had returned to Sweden 2 years earlier. Rosén, who had
worked 13 years as adjunct and 9 years as acting professor was the most qualified
candidate and was appointed on July 10, 1740 [14]. In connection to the
appointment, another possibility arose, as Lars Roberg (1664–1742), a professor in
medicine and botany, decided to retire. There were now two candidates left, Linnaeus and Wallerius. Linnaeus main merits were in botany and the university
initially required Linnaeus to undergo an examination by presenting a thesis, a
decision which was cancelled by the University Chancellor. Wallerius, whose main
competence was in chemistry, still had to present a thesis for evaluation. Wallerius
was very upset over this injustice. The thesis that Wallerius presented [15] was a
detailed attack on Linnaeus’ main works, trying to discredit Linnaeus. The thesis
Fig. 9.4 Johan Gotschalk
Wallerius. Engraving by
J. Gillberg, 1772
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9 Bergman Becomes a Chemist