Jons Berzelius was a Swedish chemist considered one of the founders of modern chemistry. He devised the system of chemical symbols and formulae still in use today (eg.Fe - Iron) and proposed oxygen as a reference standard for atomic masses. His discoveries include the elements cerium (1804), selenium (1817), and thorium (1828). Berzelius also accurately determined more than 2000 relative atomic and molecular masses and he was the first to prepare silicon in its amorphous form and to isolate zirconium. He is also credited with creating numerous chemical terms including 'protein', 'polymer', and 'catalysis.'
The Royal Society awarded Jons Berzelius the Copley medal in 1836. The medal is awarded for sustained, outstanding achievements in any field of science. It is the society's oldest and most prestigious award.

References:
University College, Cork, website
http://www.ucc.ie/ucc/depts/chem/dolchem/html/biog/biog001.html

The Royal Society website
https://royalsociety.org/


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