Johann Karl Wilhelm Voigt (20 February 1752 in Allstedt – 2 January 1821 in Ilmenau) was a German mineralogist and mining engineer.
He initially studied law at the University of Jena, then in 1776 enrolled at the Mining Academy in Freiberg as a pupil of Abraham Gottlob Werner. [1] He later relocated to Weimar, where in 1783 he was named secretary of the Bergwerkskommission (mining commission). [2] During his time spent in Weimar he developed a close friendship with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe — through Voigt, Goethe received an education in mineralogy. [3] From 1789 to 1821, he served as Bergrath (councillor of mines) in Ilmenau. [1]
He is best remembered for his dispute with Werner in regards to latter's theory of Neptunism; with Voigt maintaining that basalt was of volcanic origin. [1] In 1800 he introduced the term " lettenkohle" to describe coal with a large content of letten (regional German word for clay and mud). [4]
The thoroughfare Bergrat-Voigt-Straße in Erfurt commemorates his name. [5]
Johann Karl Wilhelm Voigt (20 February 1752 in Allstedt – 2 January 1821 in Ilmenau) was a German mineralogist and mining engineer.
He initially studied law at the University of Jena, then in 1776 enrolled at the Mining Academy in Freiberg as a pupil of Abraham Gottlob Werner. [1] He later relocated to Weimar, where in 1783 he was named secretary of the Bergwerkskommission (mining commission). [2] During his time spent in Weimar he developed a close friendship with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe — through Voigt, Goethe received an education in mineralogy. [3] From 1789 to 1821, he served as Bergrath (councillor of mines) in Ilmenau. [1]
He is best remembered for his dispute with Werner in regards to latter's theory of Neptunism; with Voigt maintaining that basalt was of volcanic origin. [1] In 1800 he introduced the term " lettenkohle" to describe coal with a large content of letten (regional German word for clay and mud). [4]
The thoroughfare Bergrat-Voigt-Straße in Erfurt commemorates his name. [5]