 |
Johann Rudolph GlauberGerman alchemist, chemist, apothecary and physician.
Date of Birth: 01.01.1604
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Johann Rudolph Glauber: A Pioneer in Chemistry
- Wandering Scholar
- Establishment and Research
- Sulfuric Acid Discovery
- Other Achievements
- Versatile Chemist and Inventor
Johann Rudolph Glauber: A Pioneer in Chemistry
Early Life and EducationJohann Rudolph Glauber was born in 1604 amidst the turmoil of Germany's religious wars. After years of hardship, he became an apprentice to Neustadt's apothecary, Eisner. Gaining knowledge and experience, he later worked in Vienna.
Wandering Scholar
During the Thirty Years' War, Glauber moved from Salzburg to Kassel to Paris. His travels exposed him to different ideas and practices in the field of pharmacy.
Establishment and Research
In 1644, Glauber became the manager of the count's apothecary in Gießen. Here, his talent as a chemist blossomed. He developed methods for producing pure sulfuric acid from iron sulfate and later from alum and zinc sulfate.
Sulfuric Acid Discovery
Glauber's revolutionary discovery was the production of sulfuric acid by reacting sulfuric acid with saltpeter. He also extracted concentrated nitric acid, creating the highly corrosive "spirit of nitre."
Other Achievements
Glauber perfected the production of "spirit of salt," or hydrochloric acid, from common salt using sulfuric acid. He synthesized "aqua regia" by combining nitric acid with ammonium chloride, which could dissolve even gold.
Versatile Chemist and Inventor
Glauber's contributions extended beyond acids. He isolated "Glauber's salt" (sodium sulfate), discovered various nitrates and chlorides, and synthesized ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer. Additionally, he extracted phenol and vegetable alkaloids for medicinal purposes and experimented with colored glass.
