Quotes:Mendeleyev, Dmitriy Ivanovich

Boris de Zirkoff

Mendeleyev, Dmitriy Ivanovich. Russian chemist, the youngest of a family of seventeen, b. at Tobolsk, Siberia, Feb. 7, 1834; d. at St. Petersburg, Feb. 2, 1907. Attended the gymnasium of his native town; studied science at St. Petersburg, was graduated in chemistry, 1856, subsequently becoming privatdozent. Became, 1863, prof. of chemistry in the technological school at St. Petersburg, and three years later succeeded to the chair in the University. Resigned professorship, 1890, and became director of the Bureau of Weights and Measures.

Mendeleyev's name is best known for his work on the Periodic Law. His Periodic Tables of Elements embodies in its conception an aspect of the Sevenfold Nature of the Universe; it has stood the test of time and was fully supported by the most recent developments of atomic physics. It still remains a corner stone of modern science. H.P.B. herself refers to it on various occasions throughout her writings. [Cf. The Secret Doctrine, II, 627.]

Mendeleyev's best known work is The Principles of Chemistry, 1868-70 (Engl. ed., 2 vols., 1905), which has gone through many subsequent editions in various languages. The author was considered one of the finest teachers of his time.

Peculiarly enough, Mendeleyev assumed a very prejudiced attitude towards Spiritualistic manifestations and his astute scientific mind failed to do justice to the subject when it came up for investigation before a scientific committee.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 1, pp. 498-499