Śniadecki came up with a Polish terminology for chemistry, so that the subject could be taught in his native language, rather than Latin. The astronomer and mathematician Jan Śniadecki was his brother, and Domeyko one of his students. Forster was a university colleague in Vilnius; they were in conflict when Forster decided to break his contract in favour of an offer from Russia (the offer was withdrawn, but he left anyway). Information on Śniadecki is scarce in English; studying in Italy and Scotland, it seems very likely that he came into contact with Alessandro Volta, Luigi Spallanzani and Joseph Black, among others.