Werner, Abraham Gottlob, << VEHR nur, AH brah hahm GOHT lohp >> (1749-1817), a German geologist, formulated a theory on the origin of Earth that was widely accepted in his time. Werner believed all rocks of Earth were formed from a giant ocean. Scientists accepted this theory for years until it was proved that some rocks were formed by the cooling of hot lava from volcanoes. Werner also introduced a system of identifying and classifying rocks and created new methods of describing minerals.
Werner was born on Sept. 25, 1749, in Wehrau, Saxony. He taught at the Freiberg School of Mines in Freiberg from 1775 until his death on June 30, 1817. Students came from throughout Europe to hear Werner explain complex ideas in a simple way. His lectures helped geology gain respect as an important area of study.
