Agricola, Georgius, << uh GRIHK uh luh, JAWR jee uhs >> (1494-1555), was a German physician and scientist. He became the first great mineralogist and one of the most important influences in the early history of geology. Agricola wrote seven books on geologic and mining subjects, including Bermannus and On the Nature of Fossils.
His “fossils” were mostly rocks and minerals. He described many that had not been recognized, and rejected incorrect theories about others. Agricola was born on March 24, 1494, in Glauchau, in Saxony. He studied medicine in Germany and Italy. Georgius Agricola is the Latin form of his German name, Georg Bauer. Agricola died on Nov. 21, 1555.
