Jöns Jacob Berzelius

Jöns Jacob Berzelius (Väversunda (Sweden) 20 Aug 1779 - Stockholm, 7 Aug 1848) was a Swedish chemist and naturalist. He is considered one of the founders of modern chemistry. In 1796 he started a medical study at the University of Uppsala and in 1802 he defended his thesis.

Berzelius on catalysis

In 1836 Berzelius wrote:

This new force, which was unknown until now, is common to organic and inorganic nature. I do not believe that this is a force entirely independent of the electrochemical affinities of matter; I believe, on the contrary, that it is only a new manifestation, but since we cannot see their connection and mutual dependence, it will be easier to designate it by a separate name. I will call this force catalytic force. Similarly, I will call the decomposition of bodies by this force catalysis, as one designates the decomposition of bodies by chemical affinity analysis.