5
Bergman’s Early Scientific Career
On November 29, 1758, less than half a year after receiving his master’s degree,
Bergman presided over his first own dissertation. Matthias Rydell, born in the
Västergötland province just as Bergman, defended a thesis titled On universal
attractions [1]. A few days later Bergman was promoted to docent
1 in physics on
recommendation by Ferner [2]. Bergman was now entitled to lecture, and his
lectures on experimental physics were popular despite his limited excess to scientific instruments [3].
In 1761, the adjunct (approximately equivalent to an assistant professor) in
physics, Daniel Melander (Melanderhjelm) was appointed professor in physics.
Essentially, he had to buy the title, as he agreed to pay 15,000 copper dalers, a very
large sum, to a fund established to raise the salary of the observatory assistants [4].
As Melander was appointed, the position as adjunct in mathematics and physics
became vacant. By the end of the year, the University Chancellor, Anders Johan
von Höpken, appointed Bergman. With a position at the University, Bergman could
finally give up his job as private teacher. The following spring, Bergman gave
lectures on algebra, replacing Professor Jonas Meldercreutz (1715–1785), who took
part in the Diet meetings (Riksdagen) in Stockholm 1760–1762.
As mentioned earlier, Bergman’s teacher Ferner left Uppsala for a 5-year
journey through Europe in 1758, shortly after Bergman had defended his thesis.
During this time, they corresponded regularly by exchanging letters. Ferner’s trip
proved to be very important for Bergman’s career, as Ferner actively sought for
suitable European correspondents for Bergman [5]. International contacts were as
important then for a successful scientist, as they are today. The first contact was
1
Docent is an academic title in Sweden. In the present day, a docent title implies that a person has
proved capable of carrying out independent research and shown pedagogic skills. Typically, this is
equivalent to be appointed to associate professor.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Lennartson, Carl Wilhelm Scheele and Torbern Bergman, Perspectives on the
History of Chemistry, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49194-9_5
57
Bergman’s Early Scientific Career
On November 29, 1758, less than half a year after receiving his master’s degree,
Bergman presided over his first own dissertation. Matthias Rydell, born in the
Västergötland province just as Bergman, defended a thesis titled On universal
attractions [1]. A few days later Bergman was promoted to docent
1 in physics on
recommendation by Ferner [2]. Bergman was now entitled to lecture, and his
lectures on experimental physics were popular despite his limited excess to scientific instruments [3].
In 1761, the adjunct (approximately equivalent to an assistant professor) in
physics, Daniel Melander (Melanderhjelm) was appointed professor in physics.
Essentially, he had to buy the title, as he agreed to pay 15,000 copper dalers, a very
large sum, to a fund established to raise the salary of the observatory assistants [4].
As Melander was appointed, the position as adjunct in mathematics and physics
became vacant. By the end of the year, the University Chancellor, Anders Johan
von Höpken, appointed Bergman. With a position at the University, Bergman could
finally give up his job as private teacher. The following spring, Bergman gave
lectures on algebra, replacing Professor Jonas Meldercreutz (1715–1785), who took
part in the Diet meetings (Riksdagen) in Stockholm 1760–1762.
As mentioned earlier, Bergman’s teacher Ferner left Uppsala for a 5-year
journey through Europe in 1758, shortly after Bergman had defended his thesis.
During this time, they corresponded regularly by exchanging letters. Ferner’s trip
proved to be very important for Bergman’s career, as Ferner actively sought for
suitable European correspondents for Bergman [5]. International contacts were as
important then for a successful scientist, as they are today. The first contact was
1
Docent is an academic title in Sweden. In the present day, a docent title implies that a person has
proved capable of carrying out independent research and shown pedagogic skills. Typically, this is
equivalent to be appointed to associate professor.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Lennartson, Carl Wilhelm Scheele and Torbern Bergman, Perspectives on the
History of Chemistry, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49194-9_5
57