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STEFFENS, Henrik.

(1773 – 1845)

(Born: Stravanger, Norway, 2 May 1773; Died: Berlin, Germany, 13 February 1845) Danish physician.

Steffens graduated in philosophy and medicine from the University of Kiel (1797 and 1815). In 1789, he was a private docent at the University of Kiel and from 1802 to 1804 at the University of Copenhagen. From 1804 to 1811, he was employed professor of mineralogy at the University of Halle. This was followed by an appointment as professor ordinary of physics and philosophy of natural history at the University of Breslau from 1811 to 1832. Steffens completed his career as professor of philosophy at the University of Berlin. He was a member of the Academie of Wissenschaften [Academy of Science] in Berlin.

Biographical references: ADB: 35, 555. Dansk Biografisk Haandleksikon: 3, 466-7, portrait. Dansk Biografisk Lexikon: 16, 350-6 [by K. Kroman & V. Hintze]. DBA: I 1215, 281-314; II 1254, 24-56. Drugulin, Sechstausend Portraits, 1863: no. 5262-3 & 6286. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edition. Garboe, Geologiens Historie i Danmark, 1959-61: 1, 169-70, portrait. Hamberger & Meusel, Gelehrte Teutschland, 1796-1834. Hüssy, E.R., "Henrich Steffens (1773-1845)" (vol. 3, pp. 264-80), in: Schleisische Lebensbilder. Breslau, W.G. Korn, 1931. ISIS, 1913-65: 2, 502. Poggendorff: 2, cols. 988-9. SBA: Scandinavian Biographical Archive: A-308, 338-396. Volbehr & Weyl, Professoren zu Kiel, 1916: 143. WBI. World Who's Who in Science: 1600.

Vollständiges Handbuch, 1811

1. German, 1811-24.
Vollständiges | Handbuch | der | Oryktognosie | von | Heinrich Steffens | [rule] | Erster [-Vierter] Theil. | [tapered rule] | Halle | In Der Curtschen Buchhandlung | 1811 [-1824].

4 vols. [Vol 1: 1811] 12°: π12 1-2112 224; 268l.; [i]-xxiv, [1]-212 (i.e., 512) p. [Vol 2: 1815] 12°: π2 1-1812; 216l.; [4], [1]-428 p.; [Vol 3: 1820?] 12°: π1 1-1712; 206l.; [2], [1]-408, [2] p.; [Vol 4: 1824] 12°: π12 *12 1-3012; 384l.; [2], [i]-xlvi, [1]-432, [2], [433]-720 p.

Contents: [Vol 1] [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii], Sectional title page, "Erd- | und | Steinarten."; [iv], Blank.; [v]-xii, "Vorrede."; [xiii]-xiv, "Verzeichnis | der Wichtigsten Abkürzungen."; [xv]-xviii, "Verkürzung | der an häutfigsten Citirten Schriften."; [xix]-xxiv, "Classification Der Kieselreihe."; [1]-497, Text.; [498]-212 (i.e., 512), "Register."

[Vol 2] [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [2 pgs], "Vorrede."; [1]-420, Text.; [421]-428, "Register."

[Vol 3] [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [1]-420, Text.; [403]-408, "Register."; [1 pg], "Bemerkungen."; [1 pg], Blank.

[Vol 4] [2 pgs], Blank, verso series title page, "Vollständiges | Handbuch | der | Oryktognosie | von | Heinrich Steffens | [rule] | Suplemente. | [tapered rule] | Halle | In Der Curtschen Buchhandlung | 1824."; [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii]-xxxiv, "Einleitung."; [xxxv]-xlvi, "Classification." [=overview of the classification system].; [1]-432, Text.; [433], "Supplemente."; [434], Blank.; [435]-583, Text of supplement.; 584-670, "Supplement | Zum Zweiten Theile."; 671-694, "Supplemente | Zum Dritten Theile."; 695-708, "Supplemente | Zum Vierten Theile."; [709]-720, "Register."

Rare. This considerable handbook distinguished itself from all similar works of the period. The compilation is made from a praise worthy compactness, with thoroughness and a true critical circumspection. Above all else one finds interspersed through out the volumes highly interesting and important comments. No mineralogist's library should lack this publication. At the end of volume four, with its own title page is a supplement. Due to its appearance over 14 years this is a rare work in complete sets.

Bibliographical references: BL [445.a.35.]. Dana's 7th (Bibliography): 81. GV (1700-1910): 139, 47-8. Leonard's Taschenbuch: 6 (1811), 309 & 11 (1815), 583-4. LKG: XII 188. NUC: 566, 339-42 [NS 0890493].

2. German, 1801.
Beyträge zur innern Naturgeschichte der Erde von Henrich Steffens. Erste Theil. Freyberg, Im verlag der Crazischen Buchhandlung, 1801.

8°: [8], 317, [1] p.

Rare. No more published. Considers theories of the inner earth.

Bibliographical references: BL [440.l.3.]. LKG: XIII 218. NUC: 566, 339-42 [NS 0890448].

3. German, 1810.
Geognostisch-geologische Aufsätze, als Vorbereitung zu einer innern Naturgeschichte der Erde. Hamburg, B.G. Hoffmann, 1810.

8°: xxvii, [3], 337, [1] p.

Very scarce. First edition of one of the most important geological writings of Steffens (1773-1845), German scientist, philosopher, and man of letters. He was a professor of mineralogy at the University of Halle and later professor of natural philosophy at the University of Breslau.Steffens made important contributions to our understanding of the origins of coral atolls (see Zittel).Good copy. Quite scarce.¤ Poggendorff, II, 988-99.

Bibliographical references: BL [990.g.30.]. LKG: XIII 219a. NUC: 566, 339-42 [NS 0890460].

4. German, 1797.
Über Mineralogie und das mineralogische Studium. Altona, 1797.

8°: Extremely rare.

Bibliographical references: BL [no copy listed]. LKG: XII 198. NUC [no copy listed].

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