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The Russian scientist and man of letters Mikhail Vasilevich Lomonosov, b. Nov. 19 (N.S.), 1711, d. Apr. 15 (N.S.), 1765 was the son of a prosperous fisherman. His outstanding abilities won him a scholarship to study (1736-41) at the German university of Marburg, where he began to write lyric poetry. After his return to Saint Petersburg Lomonosov was appointed professor of chemistry at the university (1745) and in 1757 he became a councillor of Moscow University, which he had helped to found. Lomonosov made numerous discoveries in chemistry and physics and is equally well known for studies of Russian grammar that simplified the language of his time into a suitable vehicle for literary expression.

(c) 1997 Grolier, Inc.