Minerals with Belgian Roots

Amongst the multitude of minerals that occur in nature, nearly one hundred are in close relation to Belgium with respect to one of the following aspects. A first group comprises minerals discovered and described in Belgium. Their names are often based on their place of discovery or are chosen in tribute to a Belgian scientist active within the field of geology. The second and largest group comprises minerals discovered abroad. Yet, for different reasons, these were given names referring to people who were, at least at some point in time, of Belgian nationality. Amongst them were prominent mineralogists, people who played a key role during colonial times, and various people involved in the exploration of central Africa and the exploitation of its minerals and ores. Photographs of these 'minerals with Belgian roots' (some of which are very rare) together with biographies of those their names pay tribute to, were never published in a book before. It was the author's incentive to fill this apparent gap in the current literature available, yielding a unique and new perspective on the history of Belgian mineralogy. The authors deliberately used concise scientific descriptions of the mineral species discussed. For more detailed scientific descriptions they refer to more specialised journals and reference works. The biographical notes reviving the careers of dozens of, often largely unknown, individuals draw on the extensive secondary literature available or on unpublished documents and archival information. The hundreds of full colour photographs illustrating this book clearly demonstrate the author's extensive expertise. Minerals with Belgian Roots mainly aims at amateur mineralogists, mineral collectors and nature enthusiasts. Given the multitude of didactic illustrations and instructive biographic data, this book will also be of great use to specialists and students of mineralogy. It will offer them a new insight into the history and evolution of this scientific discipline in Belgium, from the onset of the 19th century onwards up till now.