Baltazar Mathias Keilhau
Baltazar Mathias Keilhau | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 1 January 1858 | (aged 60)
Nationality | Norwegian |
Occupation(s) | Geologist and mountain pioneer |
Awards |
Balthazar Mathias Keilhau (2 November 1797 – 1 January 1858) was a Norwegian geologist and mountain pioneer. He is regarded as the founder of the discipline of geology in Norway, and has also been credited for the discovery of the Jotunheimen mountain range.
Personal life
Keilhau was born in
Career
Keilhau is regarded as the founder of geology in Norway. He graduated from the Christiania Cathedral School in 1816. In 1821 he graduated in mining, the first one at the University in Christiania, and received further industrial practice in Kongsberg. He subsequently studied mineralogy in Berlin, and geology in Saxony.[1][3]
Keilhau made the first ascent of Falketind in 1820 along with two other climbers.[4] He has later been labeled the "discoverer" of the mountain range of Jotunheimen. The mountain of Keilhaus topp is named after him.[1] The 1820 journey, which he made along with fellow student Christian Boeck, was thoroughly documented in the article "Nogle efterretninger om et hidtil ubekendt stykke af det söndenfjeldske Norge".[2]
He lectured at the
He was appointed professor from 1834. Among his publications is the three-volume Gaea Norvegica (1838–1850). The first volume from 1838 describes the Oslo Geological Region, the second volume from 1844 covers Northern Norway, and the third volume from 1850 covers Southern Norway.[1] This work is the first complete overview of the Geology of Norway.[2]
He was decorated Knight of the Order of Vasa, Knight of the Order of the Polar Star, and Knight of the Order of St. Olav.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Bryhni, Inge. "Balthazar Keilhau". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- ^ a b c d Bjørlykke, Arne (2015). Carstens, Halfdan (ed.). "Balthazar Mathias Keilhau: En usedvanlig dyktig observatør". Geo (in Norwegian). 18 (6). Trondheim: GeoPublishing: 22–24.
- Store norske leksikon(in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- Store norske leksikon(in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- ^ "Keilhaufjellet (Svalbard)". Norwegian Polar Institute. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "Mathiasbreen (Svalbard)". Norwegian Polar Institute. Retrieved 30 July 2013.