Development of geological studies in Lithuania: Imperatoria Universitas Vilnensis

Grigelis A. Development of geological studies in Lithuania: Imperatoria Universitas Vilnensis. Geologija. Vilnius. 2007. No. 59. P. 82–89. ISSN 1392-110XAfterthethirdpartitionofthePolish–LithuanianCommonwealthin1795,theLithuanianMainSchool underwent liberality and secularisation. In 1803, the structural reforms caused by the rapid development of science in Western Europe followed establishment of the Imperatoria Universitas Vilnensis. TheGeneralCharteroftheVilniusEducationDistrictreportedthattheUniversitymusthavea full and systematised distribution of science. Theemphasisonthemathematicalandnaturalsciencesincreased, and ten top disciplines were taught in the Faculty of Physical Science and Mathematics. Theself-dependent Mineralogy Department was introduced just also in 1803. Vilnius University became established as a well-funded and highly regarded institution of higher learning. Although the time-span of the University was rather short (1803–1832), – the University was famed for prominent professors, the high level of teaching, and students imbued with the principles of the Romantic Movement.Key words: history of sciences, geology, mineralogy, Vilnius University, geological prospectingReceived 02 May 2007, accepted 29 June 2007.Algimantas Grigelis. Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: grigelis@geo.lt