ZSIGMONDY, Viliam
* 14. 5. 1821, Bratislava, Slovakia
† 21. 12. 1888, Budapest, Hungary
Mining engineer
After Z. had repeatedly been transfered, he completed grammar school in Bratislava in 1838. The same year he enrolled in the Academy of Mining and Forestry in Banská Štiavnica, completing his studies in 1843 and later applying for national service. A young and talented engineer was accepted and assigned different tasks and functions. For taking an active part in the 1848 revolution, he had to leave the civil service. Consequently, he worked in private mines (Reşiţa, Annatal) and after a few years settled in Pesta, where he was first dedicated to the newly established Mining agency and from 1865 to 1876 managed his company for deep drilling. As a mining engineer and a private entrepreneur he discovered new deposits of minerals, thermal water, coal and natural oil. His success was based on his hydrological research and innovation in the technique of drilling. For Slovakia the well in Herľany (the so-called geyser of Herľany) was of a particular interest, as well as the well in Jasov. He was also successful as a hydrological expert. From the basics of planned collection entitled "Bergbaukunde mit besonderem Augenmerk auf die Kohlengrube" (Mining science with special emphasis on mine) he published the first volume, entitled "Bohrungserforschung für Kohle und artesische Brunnen" (Study of coal drilling and artesian springs) in 1866. Z. repeatedly went on a study journey at homeland and abroad. Hungarian Academy of Sciences elected him a corresponding member. The chair of paleontologists was established at the University of Budapest on his initiative in 1880. He was also committed to establishing the Hungarian Geological Institute and was one of the initiators of geological mapping.
