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Marcellin BerthelotFrench chemist and public figure
Date of Birth: 25.10.1827
Country:  France |
Content:
Biography of Marcellin Berthelot
Marcellin Berthelot was a French chemist and public figure known for his contributions to the study of chemistry and physical chemistry. He was born on October 25, 1827, in Paris, into a family of physicians. He completed his education at the Lycee Henri IV and later attended the University of Paris.
Scientific Career
In 1851, Berthelot became an assistant to Professor A.J. Balard at the College de France. He later became a professor of chemistry at the Higher Pharmaceutical School in Paris in 1859 and founded and led the department of organic chemistry at the College de France in 1865. He also served as an inspector of higher education from 1876 and as the Minister of National Education from 1886 to 1887. In 1889, he became a permanent secretary of the Paris Academy of Sciences and served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1895.
Berthelot gained recognition in the field of organic synthesis. He developed original methods to synthesize numerous new and known natural compounds from elements and simple substances. One of his notable achievements was the synthesis of ethyl alcohol from ethylene and water using sulfuric acid, which revolutionized its production. He also conducted extensive research on hydrocarbons and their derivatives, synthesizing compounds like benzene, styrene, naphthalene, and complex aromatic systems from carbon and hydrogen.
In addition to his work in organic chemistry, Berthelot made significant contributions to thermodynamics and thermochemistry. He conducted extensive calorimetric studies, leading to the invention of the "calorimetric bomb" in 1881. His research provided valuable data on the heat effects of various reactions and the decomposition and formation of substances. He documented his thermodynamic concepts in his two-volume work, "Thermochimie," published in 1897.
Contributions to Other Fields
Berthelot's research extended beyond chemistry. He studied the chemistry and physical chemistry of explosive substances, analyzing their combustion patterns and determining the speed of the explosive wave's propagation. During the siege of Paris by the Germans in 1870, he played a crucial role in establishing the production of explosive substances for the city's defense. He also conducted studies in the fields of agrochemistry and biochemistry, investigating the role of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and other elements in plant growth and development. His research demonstrated the fixation of nitrogen in soil populated by microorganisms. These findings, along with others in the field of biochemistry, were compiled in his four-volume work, "Vegetable Chemistry and Agronomy," published in 1899.
Apart from his scientific endeavors, Berthelot also dedicated his time to the history of chemistry. He published works on the origins of alchemy and collected and translated ancient Greek, Syrian, and Arabic alchemical manuscripts. He authored the book "Chemical Revolution: Lavoisier" in 1890 and wrote extensively about other great chemists. His contributions were recognized when he was elected as one of the forty members of the French Academy of Literature and Arts, known as the "Immortals." He was also a member of numerous other academies worldwide, including the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences.
Marcellin Berthelot passed away in Paris on March 18, 1907. His groundbreaking research and significant contributions to various fields continue to influence the scientific community to this day.
