Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier

Abstract

For a millenium, till the time of Lavoisier, Alchemy was practised. Alchemy was unscientific, but its practitioners developed useful experimental methodologies, materials and medicines. In the seventeenth century ‘phlogiston’ theory was introduced to explain the results of combustion. Lavoisier, through his extraordinary logical capabilities developed systematic experimental procedures by adopting proper weighing and measuring methods. This brought about radical change in scientific thoughts and ushered in the era of modern chemistry. Lavoisier was not only a great scientist, but a revolutionary thinker, a social reformer, a good administrator, a helpful and sociable person and an institution builder. Despite these uncommon qualities, the frenzy of the French Revolution consumed his life in a very tragic way.