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WESTFELD, Christian Friedrich G.H.

(1746 – 1823)

(Born: Apfelstädt, Herzogth., Gotha, Germany, 2 June 1746; Died: Bückeburg, Germany?, 23 March 1823) German cleric, mineralogist & crystallographer.

In 1766, Westfeld was rector of the city school in Bückeburg. Then in 1796, he became advisor at Wehnde near Göttingen.

Biographical references: ADB: 42, 191. DBA: I 1358, 329-334; II 1395, 234-235. Hamberger & Meusel, Gelehrte Teutschland, 1796-1834. Meusel, Verstorbenen Teutschen Schrifsteller, 1802-16. Neuer Nekrolog der Deutschen. Poggendorff: 2, col. 1305. WBI.

1. German, 1767.
C.F.G. Westfelds | mineralogische Abhandlungen. | [ornate rule] | [...7 lines of quotation, signed Newton...] | [ornate rule] | Erste Stück. | [ornate rule] | Göttingen und Gotha. | Bey J.C. Dieterich. 1767.

8°: π4 A-D8 E4; 40l.; [8], [1]-72 p.

Contents: [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [4 pgs], Dedication, signed C.F.G. Westfeld, 12 April 1767.; [1 pg], "Vorerrinerung."; [1 pg], "Verzeichnis der Abhandlungen."; [1]-72, Text.

Very rare. Only portion published of a proposed treatise on mineralogy. In fifteen essays, Westfeld investigates various studies of mineralogy. Topics include Braunstein (pyrolusite), the analysis of silica stones, fiberous limestone, fiberous silica stones, calcite, graphite, pyritous limestone, marl, incrustrations of the salt houses, and most importantly to the history of crystallography an essay on the constituents of crystals, which states that all crystals of spar are composed of rhombohedral pieces, thus anticipating Bergmann. The experiments performed by the author are repeated more than once and show a diligence not common during his time.

Bibliographical references: Allgemeine Deutsche Bibliothek: 5 (1768), no. 2, 230. Berlinische Sammlungen: 3, 635-6. BL [972.g.12.]. Erlanger gelehrte Beyträge: 39 (1768). Gatterer, Mineralogischen Literatur, 1798-9: 1, 284. Göttingische gelehrte Anzeigen: 1767, 353. Jenaische gelehrte Zeitungen: 1767, no. 39. LKG: VI 41. NUC [no copy listed]. Physikalisch-Oekonomische Auszüge: 9, 607.

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