The Father of Modern-Day Chemistry

Antoine Laurent Lavoisier is considered to be the father of modern-day chemistry (Balchin 36). He had an unbelievable impact on the way the world views chemistry today. From identifying elements to discovering the importance of the role of combustion, he played an essential part in the world’s scientific ideas and inventions. He was so influential that he is said to have an equal if not greater impact in chemistry as Newton did in physics (Tiner 90). He used the initial ideas of Joseph Priestley, Henry Cavendish, and Karl Scheele, and worked to prove them and make them more official (Tiner 90). Because of these accomplishments, he is considered one of France’s and the world’s most outstanding scientists (Tiner 91). Antoine Laurent Lavoisier was one of the world’s most influential scientists and people of all time because he was a leading figure in the 18th century chemical revolution, he developed a theory on the chemical reactivity of oxygen, and he discovered the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Antoine Laurent Lavoisier was born on August 26, 1743 in Paris, France. He was the only child of a wealthy middle-class family (“Antoine” Britannia). His father was a very successful merchant (Antoine How). From a very young age, he was very studious and extremely interested and concerned with the prosperity and the good of the public (“Antoine” Britannica). His education consisted of the study of mathematics, the classics, and sciences. He chose to pursue a career in chemistry because of an interest in rocks and other minerals (Balchin 36). Pursuing his gift in education, he went off to college and discovered a passion for law while he was there. After he finished college, he went to law school. He spent much of his time atten...

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... he left a huge legacy. Ironically, two years after his death, people were making statues in honor of him. He left the world with all of his knowledge on oxidation, the periodic table, and work in the chemical revolution. In fact, his naming process is still used today, and his name is used in the title of the modern-day chemical naming system (Balchin 36). Lavoisier had a world impact incomparable to most. He explained in great detail the questions of many scientists, and had ideas and theories that were later proved by other scientists. He is credited for being a prominent figure in the chemical revolution, his work with combustion and the discovery of oxygen and its properties, and discovering the Law of Conservation of Mass. Lavoisier is definitely one of the most influential people of all time, as well as an unbelievable chemist and all around person.