Ignacy Domeyko (1802 - 1889)

At the time of Domeyko's arrival in Chile, the country was a young republic, twenty years after gaining independence from over three centuries of Spanish rule. The government aimed to secure its sovereignty by developing the economy. Chile’s plan was to base its economy on the extraction of mineral resources (copper, silver, gold, coal, nitrate, sulfur) and on the development of education.

Ignacy Domeyko arrived in Chile in 1838 to take a professorship at the Jesuit school in Coquimbo. This small coastal mining town, with a population of over 9,000, became his home. The authorities of the school assigned him to lecture on chemistry, mineralogy, metallurgy, and physics. From the very beginning, Domeyko began organizing a research laboratory. In his diary, he wrote: “(...) I built the laboratory in the Parisian style: one large assay furnace (for determining the content of precious metals in ores), one cupellation furnace (for separating precious metals from ore), several smaller furnaces with covers, one evaporating [sand bath], alembic (vessel for simple distillation), etc.; all covered with a large umbrella (a hood) made of iron sheet, with a high chimney, the only chimney in the town, and perhaps the first since the discovery of America.

In the meantime, within just a few months, Domeyko mastered the Spanish language. He also demonstrated great pedagogical skills. After just one year of study, three of his students were able to travel to France for further education. As a teacher, he did not limit himself to the required lectures. He also organized natural science studies at the college.

Domeyko also participated in various state-led initiatives related to education and economic development.

Thanks to the establishment of his assay office, the percentage of elemental content in ores began to be determined. This led to a significant increase in the value of the ores being sold, thus greatly enhancing the state's revenue.

Inspired by European schooling systems, Domeyko developed an educational reform for Chile. He initiated the establishment of a mining school. It was also on his initiative that the government carried out a mint reform and introduced a decimal system for measurements and weights.

The government entrusted him with the role of Perito facultativo de minas en toda la República, an honorary position that included resolving disputes regarding mining boundaries.

Each vacation was spent traveling, during which he conducted geological research in the Andes and the Eastern Cordillera. In the Chanaral Valley, he made the discovery of land rising from the sea. He also discovered a new mineral, which he named “arkeryten.” In the Valdivia area, he found coal deposits. This discovery helped reduce the import of coal from England and significantly decreased the deforestation for heating purposes. He brought back rock specimens from every trip, and his collection grew to over 4,000 items. Some of these were sent to the Laboratory at the Mining School in Paris.

He was also tasked with investigating underground water sources near Santiago to provide the capital with high-quality water.

At the government’s request, he visited copper and silver mines. In his reports, he expressed outrage at the indifference of employers, their selfishness, greed, and lack of concern for the workers and their families.

After a journey to the Araucania region (a territory inhabited by the undefeated indigenous Araucanian tribe), he wrote a book entitled Araukania and Its Inhabitants. In it, he described the tribe's culture and their humanitarian methods of community life. The book gained worldwide recognition and was translated into Polish in 1860 by Leonard Rettel. After returning from his journey, Domeyko founded an ethnographic museum.

He also established a Charity Society.

In Santiago, he was hired at the National Institute as a professor of chemistry and mineralogy and appointed head of the department. At the University of Santiago, he was elected a member of the University Council. He served as rector for four terms, leading the university to significant growth and success.

He led an extensive scientific and literary career. At the government's request, he wrote a treatise on the colonization of Chile, addressing various aspects of rational settlement while respecting all humanitarian principles and the rights of emigrants. He maintained scientific contacts with Europe by publishing works in scholarly journals. Domeyko authored more than 130 works in Spanish, French, German, and Polish. He also published maps of Chile that he created and compiled catalogs of Chile's mineral wealth, showcasing his mineral collection at exhibitions in Europe.

In Europe, in recognition of his contributions, in the 1860s he was accepted as a member of the Kraków Scientific Society and the Natural History Society in Nuremberg. He was also elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences in Paris. The Jagiellonian University in Kraków, in recognition of his achievements, awarded Ignacy Domeyko the honorary title of Doctor of Medicine honoris causa.

In Chile, in 1883, the Legislative Chamber awarded him the national honor Pension de gratitud (a pension) of 6,000 pesos annually, payable both in Chile and abroad. This pension was granted at the request of the Public Education Council.

The people of Chile continue to remember the famous Pole and citizen of Chile. A large mountain range, the Cordillera de Domeyko, as well as one of its peaks, were named in his honor. There is also a city named Domeyko, and many streets, schools, and organizations bear his name. Monuments have been erected in recognition of his significant contributions in various places.

In 1851, the French paleontologist named the fossils Ammonites Domeykanus and Nautilus Domeykus in his honor. The French botanist, Claudio Gay, also named a species of Chilean violet, Viola Domeykoana, after him.

Throughout his life, Ignacy Domeyko considered himself a Pole. In his memoir, he wrote: “(...) that despite 46 years in Chile, he always thought in Polish, prayed in Polish, and loved in Polish.”

Poland also remembers Ignacy Domeyko. Streets in many Polish cities (including Warsaw, Lublin, Wrocław, Kraków, Poznań, and others) are named after him. He is the patron of the Gold Mine in Złoty Stok and the copper mine in Sierra Gorda, Chile, which belongs to KGHM.

In 2007, the National Bank of Poland issued two coins featuring the likeness of Ignacy Domeyko: a 10 złote silver coin with a proof finish and a 2 złote coin made of Nordic Gold with a regular finish.

In 2012, the Fundación Proyecto Domeyko Polska was established with the primary goal of popularizing the figure and scientific achievements of Ignacy Domeyko and supporting Polish- Chilean cultural and scientific cooperation.

Biography

Ignacy Domeyko was born on July 31, 1802, in Niedźwiadek, in the Nowogródek County in Lithuania. His parents, Hipolit Domeyko and Karolina née Ancut, belonged to the wealthy nobility, bearing the Dangiel coat of arms. He had two sisters (Maria and Antonina) and two brothers (Adam and Kazimierz).

Ignacy Domeyko's love for his homeland, intellectual curiosity, and passion for the exact sciences were cultivated in his family home. Throughout his life, he stood out for his personal culture, politeness, courtesy, and musical knowledge. He had artistic drawing skills and was a sociable man, well-liked by his peers.

In 1809, when Ignacy was seven years old, his father passed away. After his father's death, he was raised by his grandfather, also named Ignacy Domeyko (a patron of the Lithuanian Tribunal), and by Józef Domeyko (a graduate of the Mining Academy in Freiberg and a student of the famous geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner, the creator of the Neptunian theory). Influenced by his guardians, Domeyko directed his interests towards geology from an early age. Inspired by Stanisław Staszic's book "O ziemiorództwie Karpatów i innych gór i równin Polski" ("On the Geology of the Carpathians and Other Mountains and Plains of Poland"), he yearned to travel and explore the world.

In 1816, Domeyko began studying natural sciences in Vilnius. After a year, he obtained the title of candidate in philosophy and continued his studies in the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. He completed his studies in 1822, earning a master's degree in philosophy with a focus on the exact sciences. His thesis was on the subject of mathematics, titled "How the Principles of Differential Calculus Were Previously Explained and How They Should Be Explained According to the Current State of Mathematics." During his studies in mathematics and physics at the University of Vilnius, he became involved with the secret organization of Filomati and Filareci. Among others, he formed friendships with Adam Mickiewicz, Stefan Garczyński, Jan Czeczot, Teodor Łoziński, Józef Jeżowski, Onufry Pietraszkiewicz, Franciszek Malewski, and Antoni Odyńiec. From this period comes his pseudonym Żegota. His friendships with Mickiewicz and Garczyński lasted throughout his life.

From 1822 to 1831, Ignacy Domeyko managed a farm in the Zapole estate in Lithuania. Although he did not enjoy this work, he was considered a good manager. He established a herd of black-and- white cattle and purchased an Arabian thoroughbred mare. He reduced the corvée labor and organized a rural school.

In 1823, he was arrested for his involvement with the Filomath organization during his studies. Through the intercession of his uncle, Ignacy Domeyko, he was released from prison and sentenced by the court to house arrest under police supervision. He was also prohibited from holding any public office.

When the November Uprising broke out, Domeyko actively participated. As a messenger, he crossed the Niemen River and served under General Dezydery Chłapowski. He took part in the battle for Wilno, which ended in defeat. He laid down his arms after retreating to Prussia.

In 1832, Domeyko received a passport from the Prussian authorities to travel to France. On his way to France, he stopped in Dresden, where he met former friends of Adam Mickiewicz and Antoni Odyńc. He also visited the Mining Academy in Freiberg and a silver mine.

On July 31, 1832, he arrived in Paris. By the autumn, he became involved in various social societies (e.g., the Lithuanian and Ruthenian Lands Society, the Literary Society, the Scientific Assistance Society). At the same time, while engaging in social activities, he attended numerous lectures on natural sciences. During this period, Paris was a major center of scientific research. At the Collège de France, he befriended Professor Élie de Beaumont. At that time, Professor de Beaumont was already a renowned authority in geology, co-creator of the first geological maps of France. He was also the chief mining engineer and a member of the French Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society in London.

In 1834, Ignacy Domeyko began studies at the Paris Mining School. Graduation from this school provided graduates with a professional career and opportunities for scientific work. During his studies, he participated in scientific expeditions aimed at studying rocks and exploring mining and metallurgical centers. In his final year, he created the first atlas of Poland, which included three maps: hydrological, geological, and forestry (economic) along with an extensive description.

In July 1837, he received his diploma from the Mining School and an offer for his first paid job, organizing the private mineralogical collections of the Margrave de Drés. He completed the task quickly and excellently. The following month, on the Margrave's recommendation, he was tasked with searching for ores in Alsace. He excelled at this task as well, discovering rich iron ore deposits. He also built a furnace to smelt the ore. In October, Ignacy Domeyko received an offer to go to Chile as a lecturer in chemistry and metallurgy, and in December, he signed a contract with the Chilean government representative, Karol Lambert. The contract for the position guaranteed him an annual salary of 6,000 francs for two hours of work per week, for eight months a year. Additionally, his travel and living expenses were covered. The contract was for five years with the possibility of an extension by one year.

Ignacy Domeyko set out for Chile in January 1838. During the journey, he crossed the Argentine steppe and rode through the Andes. On June 3, he arrived in Chile, in the city of Coquimbo, to take up a professorship at a college (a Jesuit school). He quickly built a laboratory and began lectures in chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, and physics in September. By the end of the year, he visited the nearby silver mine in Arqueros.

From the very beginning, in addition to teaching, Domeyko became involved in various economic activities. He organized an assay office, where he personally (for free) conducted chemical analyses of ores. Over time, his students took over this task for a fee. At the college, besides the lectures, he organized a broad-based study of natural sciences. He wrote articles for various Chilean journals and founded a Charity Society. He also sent letters to the authorities, emphasizing the need for a reform of the curriculum.

After a year in Chile, Domeyko became a well-known figure, respected by many. As a result, in 1839, he was appointed as Perito facultativo de minas en toda la República (an honorary position with the authority to settle disputes over the boundaries of mineral deposits).

In addition to his pedagogical and social work, Domeyko took part in a number of research trips during his free time. In 1840, he visited copper and silver mines and a gold washing plant in Huasco and Copiapó. In 1841, he studied operations at gold, copper, and mercury mines in southern Chile. In Arqueros, he discovered a new mineral, which he named arkeryt (86.61% Ag12Hg). During this journey, he also observed the emergence of land from the sea floor, evidenced by layers of white shells. During an expedition in the Andes in 1842, he discovered new deposits of copper and silver. That same year, he was appointed as a member of the Public Education Council and submitted his proposal for educational reform in Chile.

In the next three years, during his leave, Domeyko:

• Conducted research in the Coastal Cordillera and Eastern Andes, establishing cooperation with the University of Santiago.
• Made a second research trip to the Cordillera region. He also submitted a proposal to the authorities to establish a mining school.
• Traveled to Araucanía and conducted observations of the Antuco volcano. Due to a fire at his laboratory, he extended his stay in Coquimbo. He also published a textbook on mineralogy and a book on the inhabitants of Araucanía (Araucanía y sus habitantes).

In 1846, Ignacy Domeyko left Coquimbo and moved to Santiago. At the request of the government, he conducted research on the sources of underground water around Santiago to provide the capital with high-quality water. He also created the first geological map of Chile. In 1847, he began working at the National Institute and the University of Santiago. Tirelessly conducting annual scientific expeditions, in 1848, he observed the solfataras (volcanic fissures emitting gases - a type of fumarole) of the Tinguiririca volcano. He also published a textbook on physics. That same year, he was granted Chilean citizenship.

In 1850, he started a family and bought a house in Santiago. His marriage resulted in three children: Anna (1854), Estevana (1859), and Jan (1863). His wife passed away in 1870. In that year, he also published a treatise on the colonization of Chile. Two years later, he organized Chile's meteorological service and, at the government's request, introduced his previously developed education reform.

In recognition of his contributions, in 1862, he was elected as a corresponding member of the Paris Academy of Sciences. In 1864, the government appointed him to work on a commission preparing a mining code for Chile. The University of Santiago, appreciating his scientific work, appointed him as rector in 1867. He was re-elected to this position three more times: in 1872, 1877, and 1882. That same year, he was awarded a gold medal at the Paris Exposition for his display of Chilean mineral specimens. In 1870, Domeyko took part in the efforts to organize the Natural History Museum in Poland, gathering and sending numerous specimens of Chilean nature.

The following years brought Domeyko further successes:

• 1873: He was appointed a member of the Academy of Learning in Krakow.
• 1877: The Geological Congress in Philadelphia awarded him a medal for scientific achievements (Domeyko had prepared a catalog of Chilean minerals for the Philadelphia Exposition). That same year, he was appointed a corresponding member of the Scientific Society in Göttingen.

At the age of 81, on May 30, 1883, Ignacy Domeyko resigned from his position as rector of the University of Santiago. At the initiative of the Council of Public Education, he was awarded a lifetime national honor, the so-called Pension de gratitud (pension of gratitude). The following year, Ignacy Domeyko traveled to his homeland. On his way to Lithuania, he visited Paris, Kraków, and Warsaw. During his stay in Europe, he also traveled to Italy and the Holy Land. On his return journey, on May 24, 1887, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Medicine title from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

In 1888, Domeyko returned to Chile, gravely ill. Despite his illness, he prepared and sent a catalog of Chile's mineral wealth to the Paris Exposition. This was his last work. On January 23, 1889, his health suddenly deteriorated, and he passed away at the age of 87. He was buried in the Main Cemetery in Santiago. His funeral was attended by not only his family but also large crowds of residents. It was held with great honors in the presence of the government and members of numerous scientific and social societies. The military also paid their respects.

Ignacy Domeyko left behind a rich scientific legacy in many fields and is regarded as one of the most deserving figures for the economic and cultural development of Chile. Throughout his life, always acting with passion and great dedication, he changed the world around him, utilizing his knowledge and skills.

Prepared by: M.Sc. Eng. Małgorzata Wagner-Niczyporuk