Dmitri Mendeleev: Biography, Achievements & Lasting Legacy

By Geniuses.Club Editorial Team | August 02, 2026 | 1834–1907
Portrait of Dmitri Mendeleev
Dmitri Mendeleev

Who Was Dmitri Mendeleev?

Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev ( MEN-dəl-AY-əf; 8 February [O.S. 27 January] 1834 – 2 February [O.S. 20 January] 1907) was a Russian chemist known for formulating the periodic law and creating a version of the periodic table of elements. He used the periodic law not only to correct the then-accepted properties of some known elements, such as the valence and atomic weight of uranium, but also to predict the properties of three elements that were yet to be discovered (germanium, gallium, and scandium). The synthetic element mendelevium is named in his honor.

Key Facts

Legacy and Impact

The influence of Dmitri Mendeleev extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped our understanding of the natural world, and his discoveries and theories remain foundational to this day.

Though he passed away in 1907, his ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.

Dmitri Mendeleev remains one of the most celebrated minds to emerge from Russia, a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the region.

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