Ferner, or Ferrner as he was called after his ennoblement, was born in the Värmland
province and enrolled at Uppsala University in 1743. He was a student of Klingenstierna and became observatory assistant (observator) at the astronomical observatory in 1751. When Strömer concluded his term as president in the Academy,
he did so with a lecture on astronomy and navigation, and the Secretary of the
Academy, Wargentin (Sect. 6.2), assured in his answering address that Strömer
always had been interested in navigation. When the professorship in astronomy at
the Naval Academy was to be filled, Ferner was appointed on the condition that
Strömer first organised the education. Thus, both Strömer and Ferner applied for a
leave of absence, and swopped positions. Through this process, Strömer got the
position in Karlskrona keeping his salary from Uppsala and in addition he obtained
a sum of 6,000 silver dalers. Strömer extended his contract in Karlskrona and
remained there for the rest of his career. Ferner, however, left Uppsala the following
year for an extensive trip through Europe as a companion of the son of wealthy
merchant Jean Henri Lefebure. While travelling he studied the construction of
astronomical instruments and met many prominent scientists. The trip was an offer
that Ferner could not resist, and it has been suggested that the offer went to Ferner
on suggestion by mathematician and astronomer Daniel Melander (Melanderhjelm
after his ennoblement) who was eager to take over Ferner’s position in Uppsala.
Fig. 4.2 Tjos, where Bergman spent 15 months with his parents in 1753–1754. Photo Anders
Lennartson, July 2019
48
4 Bergman’s and Scheele’s Education
province and enrolled at Uppsala University in 1743. He was a student of Klingenstierna and became observatory assistant (observator) at the astronomical observatory in 1751. When Strömer concluded his term as president in the Academy,
he did so with a lecture on astronomy and navigation, and the Secretary of the
Academy, Wargentin (Sect. 6.2), assured in his answering address that Strömer
always had been interested in navigation. When the professorship in astronomy at
the Naval Academy was to be filled, Ferner was appointed on the condition that
Strömer first organised the education. Thus, both Strömer and Ferner applied for a
leave of absence, and swopped positions. Through this process, Strömer got the
position in Karlskrona keeping his salary from Uppsala and in addition he obtained
a sum of 6,000 silver dalers. Strömer extended his contract in Karlskrona and
remained there for the rest of his career. Ferner, however, left Uppsala the following
year for an extensive trip through Europe as a companion of the son of wealthy
merchant Jean Henri Lefebure. While travelling he studied the construction of
astronomical instruments and met many prominent scientists. The trip was an offer
that Ferner could not resist, and it has been suggested that the offer went to Ferner
on suggestion by mathematician and astronomer Daniel Melander (Melanderhjelm
after his ennoblement) who was eager to take over Ferner’s position in Uppsala.
Fig. 4.2 Tjos, where Bergman spent 15 months with his parents in 1753–1754. Photo Anders
Lennartson, July 2019
48
4 Bergman’s and Scheele’s Education