Georg Wilhelm Richmann (22.07.1711 — 6.08.1753) was a Russian physicist and an academician (1741). He was born in Pernov (Pärnu). He graduated from the academic university attached to the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences. From 1741 he was professor of physics at the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences and from 1744 head of the Academy's physical cabinet. He also taught at the academic university.
His work was in heat and electricity. In calorimetry he improved Taylor's method of mixtures and generalised Kraft's formula, giving in 1747 — 48 a formula for the temperature of a mixture of any number of liquids (Richmann's formula). He studied the influence of various factors on the process of heat exchange and the evaporation of liquids, and designed a number of meteorological and thermometric instruments. In 1745 he invented the first electrical measuring instrument (the electric indicator) and used it widely in his research on electricity. He studied experimentally the electrification and electrical conductivity of bodies and in 1748 — 51 discovered the phenomenon of electrostatic induction. In 1752 — 53 he studied atmospheric electricity, setting up a “thunder machine” in his own house. He was killed during an experiment by a stroke of lightning.