Brief History of the Department of Chemistry

Chemistry was first taught in Modern Greece right after the University of Athens was founded back in 1837, along with Science and Mathematics in what was then called the School (Faculty) of Arts (School of Philosophy). The first Professor was the Bavarian Pharmacist, Xavier Landerer, who was the author of the first Greek textbook on Chemistry. Landerer organized the first modestly equipped Chemistry Laboratory at the basement of the Main Building of the University, where he taught and performed exciting chemistry experiments not only for the students, but also for all interested Athenians.

The man who established modern Chemistry teaching in Greece was Anastasios Christomanos, who took over as Reader of Chemistry in 1863 and taught General Chemistry from 1866 to 1905. Christomanos made provisions for and supervised the construction of the Chemistry Building in Solonos Street (in the Center of Athens), which is now known as 'Palaion Chimion' (Old Chemistry Laboratory). Chemistry, Physics, Pharmacy, and Botany Laboratories were housed in this Building. During his days as Rector of the University of Athens (1896), it was decided to separate the School of Science and Mathematics from the School of Arts.

• The man who succeeded Christomanos in the field of General Chemistry, Constantinos Zeggelis, was also, for a short period, Professor of Physical Chemistry. Later, the 'Chair' of Physical Chemistry was split into the Chairs of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. Zeggelis became the first Professor of Inorganic Chemistry (1912-38), while Georgios Mattheopoulos became the first Professor of Organic Chemistry (1912-39). In the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry served as Professor Leonidas Zervas (1939-1968), a worldwide known authority on peptide synthesis (Synthesis 'Bergman-Zervas'). Under Zervas' direction, the Organic Chemistry Laboratory prospered and gained international recognition in the field of Peptide Chemistry.

• The Department of Chemistry was founded (as an independent Department) in 1919 with the aforementioned two Chairs. The Chair of Physical Chemistry was re-established with Dimitrios Tsakalotos (1883-1919) as the first Professor. In 1922 two more independent Professor Chairs were established belonging to the Department of Chemistry: those of the History of Natural Sciences with Michael Stefanides (1924) and of Food Chemistry with Spyros Galanos (1925), as Professors. Later, the Chairs of Industrial Chemistry and of Analytical Chemistry were established with Ioannis Zaganiaris (1949) and Themistocles Hadjiioannou (1966) as the first Professors, respectively.

• Since 1982, the institution of 'Chairs' in Greek Universities was abolished by Law, in favor of the newly established institution of 'Divisions'. The Department of Chemistry was divided into three Divisions, each one comprised of the following Laboratories: Division I, with the Laboratories of Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, Division II with the Laboratories of Organic Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Biochemistry and Division III with the Laboratories of Inorganic Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry.
  
• In 1990, the Laboratories of the Department of Chemistry were moved to new installations in the School of Sciences Building, in 'Panepistimiopolis' (University Campus) between the boroughs of Zografos and Kesariani at the East-Southeast edge of Athens.
  
• Every year 160-180 new students are admitted to the Department of Chemistry (after succeeding in the 'Panhellenic Entrance Contest'), as well as 30-40 graduate students (graduates of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Geology, Pharmacy, Agriculture) for post-graduate studies and research leading to Masters and/or Ph.D. degrees.