1856-1927

German mathematician and physicist who made several discoveries toward finding solutions for some types of algebraic equations. Starting his professional life as a mathematician, Runge published several papers in Gösta Mittag-Leffler's journal, Acta Mathematica. Later, after accepting a position at Hanover, Runge began studying the properties of spectral lines from various elements, eventually showing that helium has spectral lines distinct from those of hydrogen. This helped convince chemists that hydrogen and helium were separate elements.