Chemistry · Russia · 1834–1907
Dmitri Mendeleev Life & Career Timeline
A periodic system that organised known matter and predicted what science had not yet found.
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DMDmitri MendeleevChemistry · Russia
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About Dmitri Mendeleev
Dmitri Mendeleev transformed chemical classification into a predictive law, while contributing to Russian education, industry and measurement.
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Dmitri Mendeleev biography
Dmitri Mendeleev timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Tobolsk
Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev was born into a large Siberian family.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgFather dies
His mother Maria supported the family through a glassworks.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgGlassworks destroyed by fire
The loss prompted Maria to take Dmitri west in search of higher education.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgEnters Main Pedagogical Institute
Mendeleev began formal study of science and teaching.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgGraduates and moves to Crimea
After graduating, he sought a warmer climate while recovering from tuberculosis.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgReturns to Saint Petersburg
Mendeleev resumed teaching and scientific work after his recovery.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgStudies in Heidelberg
He established a private laboratory and researched capillarity and spectroscopy.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgAttends Karlsruhe Congress
Cannizzaro’s treatment of atomic weights helped clarify a foundation for periodic classification.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgOrganic Chemistry published
His textbook won the Demidov Prize and established his academic reputation.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgDoctorate and professorship
Research on alcohol-water solutions preceded his university appointment.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgChair of general chemistry
Mendeleev began writing Principles of Chemistry for his students.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgPeriodic system drafted
He arranged known elements by atomic weight and recurring chemical properties.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgPeriodic law presented
Nikolai Menshutkin presented Mendeleev’s paper to the Russian Chemical Society.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgRevised periodic table
A mature table left spaces and specified properties for undiscovered elements.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgGallium confirms prediction
The discovery closely matched Mendeleev’s predicted eka-aluminium.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgGermanium confirms prediction
Germanium’s properties strongly validated the periodic system.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgLeads Bureau of Weights and Measures
Mendeleev directed Russian metrology and promoted standard measurement.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgDies in Saint Petersburg
Students carried the periodic table at the funeral of the scientist who made it predictive.
Source: www.sciencehistory.orgThis educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Dmitri Mendeleev or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
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About the Dmitri Mendeleev timeline
Who is Dmitri Mendeleev?
Dmitri Mendeleev transformed chemical classification into a predictive law, while contributing to Russian education, industry and measurement.
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This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1834–1907.
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This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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