Andrés Manuel del Rio Fernandez, Spanish-born Mexican chemist and mineralogist (Madrid 10 November 1764 – Ciudad de Mexico 23 March 1849)

ACHIEVEMENTS

Discovered and isolated vanadium (1801); confirmed only in 1830 after Sefstrom rediscovery

Discovered a natural gold-rhodium alloy (1825) and mercury selenide (1827)

Discovered and described various mineral species (for example vanadinite) and the varieties herrerite (1830) and valencianite

Established the foundations of geographical mineralogy (1804)

Invented and improved mineral extraction methods for use in mining industry 

Developed a water pump used in mines

HONORS

Delrioite Thompson & Sherwood 1959 (Mineral)