Topic: Dmitri Mendeleyev

Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleyev (sometimes romanized Mendeleev or Mendeleef; Russian: Дми́трий Ива́нович Менделе́ев listen (help·info)) (8 February 1834 – 2 February 1907), was a Russian chemist and inventor. He is credited as being the creator of the first version of the periodic table of elements. Using the table, he predicted the properties of elements yet to be discovered.

Mendeleev was born in Verhnie Aremzyani village, near Tobolsk, to Ivan Pavlovich Mendeleev and Maria Dmitrievna Mendeleeva (née Kornilieva). His grandfather was Pavel Maximovich Sokolov, a Russian priest. Ivan, along with his brothers and sisters, obtained new family names while attending theological seminary.

Mendeleev is thought to be the youngest of 14 siblings, but the exact number differs among sources. At the age of 13, after the passing of his father and the destruction of his mother's factory by fire, Mendeleev attended the Gymnasium in Tobolsk.