Who was Justus Liebig?
Q: Who was Justus Liebig?
A: Justus Liebig was a German chemist who made major contributions to agricultural and biological chemistry, and worked on the organization of organic chemistry. He was one of the greatest chemistry teachers of all time.
Q: What did he invent?
A: Liebig invented the chemical laboratory, and used it for teaching. He also invented new methods for the analysis of organic materials, as well as a process of silvering that greatly improved the quality of mirrors. In addition, he developed a manufacturing process for beef extracts.
Q: What discoveries did he make?
A: Liebig discovered that nitrogen was an essential plant nutrient, and invented the first nitrogen-based fertiliser. His Law of the Minimum stated that a plant's development is limited by the one essential mineral that is in the shortest supply. He also described the effect of individual nutrients on crops.
Q: What did he think about organic chemicals?
A: Where others thought that organic chemicals were entirely separate from inorganic ones, Liebig thought differently - "...the production of all organic substances no longer belongs just to the organism. It must be viewed as not only probable but as certain that we shall produce them in our laboratories."
Q: What impact did his work have?
A: His textbooks were standard for many years and his work was closely followed in Britain; he was awarded with Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1840 and made Baron by his own country in 1845.
Q: When did Justus Liebig die?
A: Justus Liebig died on 18 April 1873 at age 69
