[1] He was born in Göttingen on 2 August 1776[2] the eldest son of Dr Ernerst Johann Friedrich Stromeyer, professor of medicine at Göttingen University, and his wife, Marie Magdalena Johanne von Blum.

[4] In 1817, whilst studying compounds of zinc carbonate, Stromeyer discovered the element cadmium.

Cadmium is a common impurity of zinc compounds, though often found only in minute quantities.

He was also the first to recommend starch as a reagent for free iodine and he studied chemistry of arsine and bismuthate salts.

As his fellowship was Ordinary (rather than Foreign or Honorary) this means he was physically present in Edinburgh at that time.