Joseph Black | |
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![]() Portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn in 1790 | |
Born | Bordeaux, France | 16 April 1728
Died | 6 December 1799 Edinburgh, Scotland | (aged 71)
Nationality | Scottish |
Alma mater | University of Glasgow University of Edinburgh |
Known for | The discovery of Magnesium carbon dioxide Latent heat specific heat Invention of Analytical balance |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Medicine, physics, chemistry |
Institutions | University of Edinburgh |
Academic advisors | William Cullen |
Notable students | James Edward Smith Thomas Charles Hope |
Joseph Black (16 April 1728 – 6 December 1799) was a Scottish physicist and chemist, known for his discoveries of magnesium, latent heat, specific heat, and carbon dioxide. He was Professor of Anatomy and Chemistry at the University of Glasgow for 10 years from 1756, and then Professor of Medicine and Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh from 1766, teaching and lecturing there for more than 30 years.[1]
The chemistry buildings at both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow are named after Black.