Haruthiun Abeljanz
An Armenian contribution to Zurich’s tradition of chemistry
Haruthiun Abeljanz was a Swiss-Armenian chemist and university teacher. His educational path led from Vardablur and the Nersisian School in Tiflis to Heidelberg and Zurich. Zurich became the principal centre of his scientific career.
He worked in organic and analytical chemistry, taught students and contributed to laboratory practice. In 1890 he became professor of organic chemistry at the University of Zurich. His work also involved practical chemical analysis, including the examination of food products.
Abeljanz edited and developed successive editions of a widely used guide to qualitative chemical analysis. His legacy combines research, careful laboratory methods and teaching. It also illustrates the participation of Armenian specialists in the growth of European scientific institutions.