Arrhenius
SVANTE, a Swedish chemist, born in 1849 near Upsala. He was educated in the university of that city and, after teaching for a short time, spent several years abroad carrying on original investigations in physical chemistry. In 1891 he became professor at the University of Stockholm. His contributions to the study of electrolytic phenomena and the chemical and physical properties of substances are of the utmost importance. He established the so-called theory of electrolytic dissociation. Arrhenius wrote much on chemical subjects and in 1907 published a series of lectures delivered at the University of California. In 1903 he received the Nobel Prize for chemistry. Perhaps his most popular work is "Worlds in the Making" (1908), in which he combatted the theory that the universe is tending to destruction by loss of heat and motion.
ARRIA (ar'ē-a), a celebrated Roman matron, wife of Cæcinna Pætus, consul during the reign of Claudius, about A. D. 41. Pætus having raised an unsuccessful revolt against Claudius, in Illyria, was condemned to die. He was, however, allowed the option of ending his life by suicide, which the Romans did not deem a crime. Pætus hesitated; Arria seized the dagger, plunged it into her bosom, and then presenting it to her husband, said, "It is not painful, Pætus." This, with other instances of her conjugal devotion, has immortalized her.