Franz Ludwig von Cancrin

Franz Ludwig von Cancrin (February 21, 1738 in Breidenbach – 1812) was a German mineralogist, metallurgist, architect and writer.

In 1764, he entered the service of the landgrave of Hesse-Kassel at Hanau, becoming professor of mathematics at the military academy, head of the civil engineering department of the state, director of the theatre and (1774) of the mint.

A work on the copper mines of Elesse (1767) earned him a European reputation, and in 1783 he accepted from Catherine II of Russia the directorship of the famous Staraya salt-works, living thenceforth in Russia.

He published many works on mineralogy and metallurgy, of which the most important, the Grundzüge der Berg- und Salzwerkskunde (12 vols, 1773–1791), has been translated into several languages.

[1] His son, Count Georg von Cancrin, or Kankrin (1774–1845), was an eminent Russian minister of finance[1] and the liaison with Alexander von Humboldt during his 1829 scientific expedition to Russia.