Светолик А. Радовановић : (1863-1928)

Abstract

Svetolik Radovanović belongs to the first generation of Žujović's students who devoted themselves to geology. He stood out among others by many good qualities, the most important of which was his ability to perform easily and quickly any assignment he was given. This ability enabled him to confidently take up any kind of job: he was a state geologist in the mining administration, a university professor, head of the mining department in the ministry of national economy, dean of the Philosophical Faculty, minister of economy, academician, the principal adviser of an important bank, etc. Everything he did turned out perfect and he left behind him some notable results. Radovanovie was born on March 3, 1863, in the village of Prdilovica near Aleksinac, on the family estate of a civil servant. He lost his mother early and spent his childhood following his father wherever his job took him. He attended primary school in Kučevo, Gradište and Kragujevac, and high school in Kragujevac and Belgrade. In 1881 he enrolled at the university's natural and mathematical sciences department where he took up geology as his main subject. With Zujović's support, he went to study paleontology and geology in Vienna with professors Neumayr and Suess. In 1891 he obtained his doctorate in paleontology and geology with chemistry. After returning to Serbia he worked from 1891 to 1897 in the mining department of the ministry of national economy, but working at the same time on fundamental research where his achievements were the greatest. In 1897 Radovanović was elected professor of paleontology at the High School. Until his retirement he was university professor except for the period 1904-1905 when he was minister of national economy. Radovanović's research into fundamental and applied geology was based on reliable paleontological documentation enabling him to work out a tectonic interpretation of the Carpathian-Balkan mountain chains and Serbia. In applied geology he left behind artesian wells at Smederevo, Sabac, Obrenovac, Zaječar and near Mladenovac, mineral water catchments, waterworks in Belgrade, Leskovac and Ca6ak. Railway tunnels were dug and collieries were started at Tresibaba, Soko Banja, Rakova Bara and in Kosovo on the basis of his opinions and evaluations. Above all, he was a gifted educator, well beloved of his students, leaving a deep mark in the organisation of our science, economy and university education.