Georgius Agricola
German physician, mineralogist.
March 24, 1494 - November 21, 1555.

Agricola - also known as Georg Bauer - was interested in theology, philosophy and philolgy. He also studied medicine, and was a physician in Saxony. Agricola wrote voluminously on geological and metallurgical subjects. His most famous book was De re metallica, which dealt with mining, smelting, and assaying. It was not published until a year after his death. Through this book Agricola earned his title of father of mineralogy. He published other books on metals, "fossils," water, and weights and measures.

Agricola is associated with the elements fluorine, zinc, and bismuth.