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Biography
AbstractImportant DatesOccupationPlacesSubjectsRelationships
PeopleInstitutionsResources
Archival as AuthorArchival as SubjectPublished as AuthorPublished as SubjectWalther Nernst
Dates
June 25, 1864 – November 18, 1941
Authorized Form of Name
Nernst, Walther, 1864-1941
Additional Forms of Names
Nernst, Hermann Walther, 1864-1941
Nernst, W.
Nernst, W. (Walther)
Biography
Abstract
Walther Nernst was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1920 "in recognition of his work in thermochemistry". He is best known for developing the Third Law of Thermodynamics, also known as the Nernst heat theorem, but also conducted noteworthy research in the areas of electrochemistry and photochemistry. He held positions at University of Leipzig, University of Gottingen, and University of Berlin.
Important Dates
June 25, 1864Birth, Wąbrzeźno (Poland).
1883Began undergraduate studies, University of Zurich (Universität Zürich) and University of Graz (Universität Graz).
circa 1887Researcher under Wilhelm Ostwald, Leipzig University (Universität Leipzig), Leipzig (Germany).
1887Obtained Doctorate, University of Wurzburg (Bayerische Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg), Wurzburg (Germany).
1889Built on theory of galvanic cells by assuming an “electrolytic pressure of dissolution”.
1893Publishes book, Theoretische Chemie vom Standpunkte der Avogadro'schen Regel und der Thermodynamik (Theoretical chemistry from the standpoint of Avogadro's rule and thermodynamics).
1894Chair of Physical Chemistry, University of Gottingen (Universität Göttingen), Göttingen (Germany).
1905 – 1933Professor of Chemistry, Second Chemical Institute (1905); Professor of Physics (1913); and Director, Institute for Experimental Physics (1942-1933), University of Berlin (Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Berlin), Berlin (Germany).
1906Developed Third Law of Thermodynamics.
1918Developed atom chain reaction theory.
1920Awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry "in recognition of his work in thermochemistry".
November 18, 1941Death, Berlin (Germany).
Occupation
Thermochemist.
Places
Birth
Graduate Education
Employment
Death
Subjects
Relationships
People
Family
Lohmeyer, Emma
Wife, married 1892.
Nernst, Gustav
Father.
Advisors & Collaborators
Abel, Emil
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Bauer, Edmond
Research assistant under Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Bonhoeffer, Karl Friedrich
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
Chelpin, Hans von Euler
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Dolezalek, Friedrich
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Eucken, Arnold
Avised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
Hendrixson, Walter S.
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Hildebrand, Joel Henry, 1881-1983
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Hudson, Claude Silbert
Research assistant under Nernst at University of Berlin.
Jellett, John Hewitt, 1817-1888
Collaborated on book "Chemisch-optische untersuchungen."
Katayama, Masao
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
Kohlrausch, Friedrich, 1840-1910
Graduate advisor at University of Wurzburg.
Koref, Fritz
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
Lewis, Gilbert Newton, 1875-1946
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Lindemann, Frederick Alexander
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin
Loven, John Martin
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Millikan, Robert Andrews, 1868-1953
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Milner, Samuel Roslington
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Orthmann, W.
Collaborated on book "Einführung in die mathematische behandlung der naturwissenschaften : kurzgefasstes Lehrbuch der Differential- und Integralrechnung, mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Chemie."
Ostwald, Wilhelm
Advisor at Leipzig University.
Partington, James R.
Advised by Nernst at Institute of Physical Chemistry, Berlin.
Philip, James Charles
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Richards, Theodore W. (Theodore William), 1868-1928
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Rolla, Luigi V. M.
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
Russell, Alexander Stuart
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
Saha, Meghnad, 1893-1956
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Schlesinger, Hermann Irving
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
Schoenflies, Arthur, 1853-1928
Collaborated on book "Einführung in die mathematische behandlung der naturwissenschaften : kurzgefasstes Lehrbuch der Differential- und Integralrechnung, mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Chemie."
Schumacher, Hans Joachim
Advised by Nernst at Institute of Physical Chemistry, Berlin.
Simon, Francis, Sir
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
Sordelli, Alfredo
Advised by Nernst at University of Berlin.
ToĦoczko, Stanislaw
Advised by Nernst at University of Gottingen.
Additional
Arrhenius, Svante, 1859-1927
Atkinson, Robert d'Escourt, 1898-1982
Buchwald, Diana Kormos, 1956-
Cannizzaro, Stanislao
Casimir, H. B. G. (Hendrik Brugt Gerhard), 1909-2000
Cassel, Hans M.
Cherwell, Frederick Alexander Lindemann, Viscount, 1886-1957
Debye, Peter J. W. (Peter Josef William), 1884-1966
Epstein, Paul S. (Paul Sophus), 1883-1966
Fajans, Kasimir, 1887-1975
Fischer, Emil
Gerlach, Walther, 1889-1979
Hilbert, David, 1862-1943
Hoyt, Frank Clark, 1898-
Kistiakowsky, George B. (George Bogdan), 1900-1982
Korn, Elizabeth P.
Meissner, Walther, 1882-1974
Meitner, Lise, 1878-1968
Peierls, Rudolf E. (Rudolf Ernst), 1907-1995
Pohl, Robert Wichard, 1884-1976
Polanyi, Michael, 1891-1976
Richardson, O. W. (Owen Willans), 1879-1959
Schrödinger, Annemarie, 1896-1965
Sponer, Hertha, 1895-1968
Tizard, Henry Thomas, Sir,
Van't Hoff, J. H. van't (Jacobus Henricus van't),
Von Kármán, Theodore, 1881-1963
Waly, Adnan
Webb, Harold Worthington, 1884-1974
Weizsacker, Carl Friedrich, Freiherr von, 1912-2007
Institutions
Major Positions
Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Berlin
Professor of Chemistry, Second Chemical Institute; Professor of Physics; and Director, Physical Chemistry Institute (Physikalisch-Chemisches Institut).
Universität Göttingen
Chair of Physical Chemistry.
Universität Leipzig (1409-1953)
Post Doctoral Researcher.
Professional Activities & Affiliations
Bayerische Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg
Obtained Doctorate (1887).
Universität Graz
Undergraduate studies.
Universitat Zurich
Undergraduate studies.
Resources
Archival Resources
Author
Walther Nernst correspondence with Albert Einstein, 1914-1932.
Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Walther Nernst letters to Lord Cherwell, 1910-1941
Library
Nuffield College, Oxford
New Road, Oxford OX1 1NF
Walther Nernst letters.
Deutsches Museum
Museumsinsel 1, 80306 Munich, Germany
Walther Nernst scientific notes, 1909.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Subject
Abteilung für Handschriften und seltene Drucke
Niedersächsische Staats-und Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen
Papendiek 14, D-37073 Göttingen
Elizabeth P. Korn sketches, 1928-1940s.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Emil Fischer papers, 1876-1919.
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA, 94720-6000, USA
Frederick Lindemann Cherwell papers and correspondence, circa 1899-1957.
Library
Nuffield College, Oxford
New Road, Oxford OX1 1NF
Hans M. Cassel anecdotes regarding Albert Einstein and Walther Nernst, 1972.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Harold W. Webb autobiography, circa 1962.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Herbert Levy papers, 1909-1941.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Kaimir Fajans papers, 1912-1975.
Bentley Historical Library
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2113, USA
O.W. Richardson papers, 1897-1959 (bulk 1920-1940).
Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
University of Texas at Austin
P.O Drawer 7219, Austin, TX 78713-7219, USA
Oral history interview with Adnan Waly, 1994 February-March.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Annamarie Bertel Schrödinger, 1963 April 5.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Carl Friedrich Weizsacker, 1978 April 18.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Edmond H. Bauer, 1963 January 8 and 14.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Frank Clark Hoyt, 1964 April 28.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Georg von Hevesy, 1962 May 25 and 4 February 1963.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Hendrik Burgt Gerhard Casimir, 1963 July 5 and 6.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with James Chadwick, 1969 April 15, 16 17 and 20.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Joel Henry Hildebrand, 1962 August 6.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Lise Meitner, 1963 May 12.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Michael Polyani, 1962 February 15.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Otto Stern, 1962 May 29 and 1963 May 30.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Paul Sophus Epstein, 1962 May 25, 26 and June 2.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Peter J. W. Debye, 1962 May 3 and 4.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Robert d'Escourt Atkinson, 1977 April 22.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Robert Wichard Pohl, 1963 June 25.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Sir Rudolf Ernst Peierls, 1963 June 17 and 18.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Theodore Von Karman, 1962 June 29.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Walther Gerlach, 1963 February 18 and 23.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history interview with Walther Meissner, 1963 February 8.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Oral history joint interview with James Franck and Hertha Sponer-Franck, 1962 July 8 to 14.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Peter J. W. Debye papers, 1901-1906 and 1918-1945.
Archiv zur Geschichte der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften
Boltzmannstr. 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany
Stanislao Cannizzaro papers, 1849-1911.
Accademia nazionale delle scienze detta dei XL
Accademia nazionale delle scienze detta dei XL
Palazzo della Civilta del Lavoro, Quadrato della Concordia, 00144 Rome
V. A. Kistiakovskii papers, 1886-1950.
St. Petersburg Branch. Archive
Russian Academy of Sciences
Universitetskaia hab., 1, Korp. 2, St. Petersburg 199034
Published Resources
Author
Das Weltgebäude im Lichte der Neueren Forschung / von W. Nernst.
Die theoretischen und experimentellen Grundlagen des neuen Wärmesatzes/ von W. Nernst.
Experimental and theoretical applications of thermodynamics to chemistry / by Dr. Walther Nernst.
Subject
Encyclopedia Britannica: Walther Nernst, German Chemist.
The world of Walther Nernst; the rise and fall of German science, 1864-1941 [by] K. Mendelssohn.
Walther Nernst and the transition to modern physical science / Diana Kormos Buchwald