Antoine Laurent Lavoisier Bio | The 100: Meet the Most Influential Persons in History

Antoine Laurent Lavoisier was a French chemist and nobleman born in 1743. He is considered the "Father of Modern Chemistry" due to his major contributions to the field. Throughout his life, Lavoisier conducted extensive experiments and made accurate measurements, leading to a deeper understanding of the nature of combustion and respiration.

Lavoisier's most notable contribution to the field of chemistry was the development of the law of conservation of mass. This law states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction, and it is a fundamental principle that still forms the basis of modern chemical reactions. Lavoisier was able to prove this law through a series of experiments in which he weighed substances before and after a chemical reaction, showing that the total mass remained constant.

In addition to the law of conservation of mass, Lavoisier also helped to revolutionize the field of chemistry by creating a new system for naming and classifying chemicals, known as the system of chemical nomenclature. This system was designed to be systematic, logical, and easy to use, and it helped to standardize chemical terminology and make it easier for scientists to communicate with each other.

Lavoisier's scientific achievements were not without controversy, however. During the French Revolution, he was accused of embezzlement and tax fraud due to his work as a tax collector for the French government. Despite his protests of innocence, Lavoisier was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. He was executed by guillotine in 1794, at the age of 51.

Despite his tragic end, Lavoisier's legacy lives on in the field of chemistry and his work continues to be studied and revered by scientists today. His experiments and discoveries helped to lay the foundations of modern chemistry and his contributions have had a profound impact on the field, shaping the way scientists understand the nature of matter and the laws that govern chemical reactions.

In recognition of his achievements, Lavoisier has been honored in many ways, including the naming of the element lavoisium in his honor. Today, Lavoisier is remembered as one of the greatest chemists in history, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of scientists to explore the mysteries of the natural world.