Marcelin
Berthelot,
was a French chemist born on October 25, 1827. He was educated in
France and is known for his work in organic chemistry. His work led
to the idea of total synthesis, the idea that all living things have
the same basic biochemical reactions in their bodies.
Berthelot also researched the change of alcohols and acids to ester. This work is part of the foundation of equilibrium reactions. In terms of inventions, he developed a calorimeter to study the amount of heat liberated during chemical reactions. He also studied explosive devices.
Berthelot died on March 18, 1907.
References
Asimov, I. (1964). Asimov's Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology: The Living Stories of More than 1000 Great Scientists from the Age of Greece to the Space Age Chronologically Arranged. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.
Daintith, J., Mitchell, S., & Tootill, E. (1981). A Biographical Encyclopedia of Scientists. New York: Facts on File.
Howard, A.V. (1951). Chamber's Dictionary of Scientists. London: Chambers.
Ireland, N.O. (1962). Index to Scientists of the World, from Ancient to Modern Times: Biographies and Portraits. Boston, MA: Faxon.
McGraw-Hill (1966). McGraw-Hill Modern Men of Science. New York: McGraw-Hill.