(Born: Einbeck, Germany, 24 June 1836; Died: Heidelberg, Germany, 20 January 1914) German mineralogist.

Rosebush taught and researched as professor for petrography and mineralogy at the Universities of Strasbourg and Heidelberg. In 1903 he won the distinguished Wollaston medal of the Geological Society of London.

Biographical references: DBA: I 1055, 70; II 1096, 65-77. • Poggendorff: 3, ?? & 4, ??. • Sarjeant, Geologists, 1980. • WBI.

1. German, 1870 [Freiburg].
Mineralogische und geognostische Notizen von einer Reise in Sudbrasilien von H. Rosenbusch. Freiburg, Universitats-Buchdruckerei von H.M. Poppen un Sohn, 1870.

8°: 39 p., one plate, illus. A short notice of a trip taken by Rosenbusch to southern Brazil, and the mineralogical and geological wonders he encountered. Rare.

Bibliographical references: NUC.

2. German, 1873-7 [First edition].
Mikroskopische | Physiographie | der | petrographisch wichtigen Mineralien. | Ein Hülfsbuch | bei mikroskopischen Gesteinsstudien | von | H. Rosenbusch. | Mit 102 Holzschnitten und 10 Tafeln in Farbendruck. | [ornate rule] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagshandlung (E. Koch). | 1873.

[Title of second volume reads:]

Mikroskopische | ... | Band II. | Massige Gesteine. | ... | 1877.

2 vols. [Vol 1: 1873] 8°: [i]-ix, [3], [1]-400 p. [Vol 2: 1877] 8°: [i]-xii, [1]-596, [2] p.

Contents: [Vol 1] [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii]-vi, "Vorwort."-signed H. Rosenbusch, May 1873.; [vii]-ix, "Inhalt."; [1 pg], Blank.; [2 pgs], "Verzeichniss der Tafeln."; [1]-379, Text.; 380-395, "Literatur-Nachweis."; 396-398, "Register."; [1 pg], "Berichtigungen."; [1 pg], Blank.

[Vol 2] [i-ii], Blank, verso series title page.; [iii-iv], Title page, verso printer's information.; [v]-"Vorwort."-signed H. Rosenbusch, July 1877.; [ix]-xii, "Inhaltsverzeichniss."; [1]-545, Text.; 546-556, "Anhang."; 557-587, "Literaturnachweis."; 588-596, "Register."; [1 pg], "Druckfehler-Verzeichniss."; [1 pg], Blank.

Very scarce. In the 19th century the study of the optical properties of minerals was in its infancy, and the research of Rosenbusch was fundamental. His monumental Mikroskopische Physiographie der petrographische wichtigen Mineralien (The Microscopic Physiography of the Petrographically Important Minerals) outlines the practical means by which rocks can be identified according to determination under the microscope. "It contains an exhaustive statement of the practical methods according to which rocks may be identified by means of the morphological, physical, and chemical properties of their component minerals. This is followed by a full and methodical discussion of the microscopic characters of rock-forming minerals. The optical consideration of the phenomena of polarization was elucidated so admirably by Rosenbusch, that his work created a secure basis for future petrographical researches. With the improvement of the microscope and the polarizing apparatus, by the introduction of a rotating stage, and by other mechanical aids, it was now rendered possible to distinguish not only singly or doubly refracting bodies and uniaxial or biaxial minerals, but also to determine more accurately the specific optical properties of minerals belonging to the different systems of crystallization. After the publication of this great work, Rosenbusch took rank along with Zirkel as one of the great pioneers in the microscopical investigation of rocks."

"In 1877, Rosenbusch published a second volume entitled Die mikroskopische Physiographie der massigen Gesteine in which he distinguished the massive rocks according to the felspathic modifications: 1, Orthoclase rocks; 2, Orthoclase, nepheline, leucite rocks; 3, Plagioclase rocks; 4, Plagioclase, nepheline, leucite rocks; 5, Nepheline rocks; 6, Leucite rocks; 7, Non-felspathic rock, or peridotites. Each of these groups was subject to further subdivision according to the particular rock structure, or in the case of the felspathic rocks according to the presence or absence of quartz."-Zittel

2nd edition, 1885: 2 vols. [i]-xiv, [2], [1]-664 p., 26 plates.; [i]-xiv, [2], [1]-877, [1] p., 6 plates.

3rd edition, 1892-1896: 2 vols. [i]-xvii, [1], [1]-712 p., 24 plates.; [i]-xiv, [1]-1360 p.

4th edition, 1905: 2 vols.

English transl., 1889: Microscopical | Physiography | Of The | Rock-Making Minerals | An Aid To The | Microscopical Study Of Rocks | By | H. Rosenbusch. | Translated And Abridged For Use In Schools And | Colleges | By | Joseph P. Iddings. | Illustrated by 121 Wood-cuts and 26 Plates of Photomicrographs. | [rule] | Second, Revised Edition, with Mineralogical Tables added. | [rule] | New York: | John WIley & Sons, | 15 Astor Place. | 1889. [2], [i]-xiii, [1], [1]-333, [1] p.

Bibliographical references: Jahrbuch für Mineralogie: 1873, p. 753-4. • NUC. • USGS Library Catalog. • Zittel, History of Geology, 1901: p. 331.

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