Becker was born in Copenhagen, the son of court pharmacist
Gottfried Becker (1767–1845) and Nicolette A. Burman (1774–1824). On 1 March 1825, he was granted royal permission to assume the family name Burman Becker. In 1822, he passed the preliminary exams in philology and philosophy at the
University of Copenhagen. He was trained as a pharmacist in his father's
Royal Court Pharmacy while at the same time attending lectures by F. G. Howitz,
H. C. Ørsted, W. C. Zeise and J. W. Hornemann. In 1825, he passed the pharmaceutical exam. He then went on a longer journey abroad to continue his education, visiting Germany, Switzerland, France and England. ==Career==