Liebig, Justus von, << LEE bihk, YOOS toos fuhn >> (1803-1873), helped found organic chemistry, the study of compounds that contain carbon. He made many discoveries in this field and improved the methods of organic analysis. His most important experiments involved the chemistry of the soil. He worked to develop fertilizers, and his book Chemistry of Food led to increased knowledge on how to prepare food. Liebig also was one of three discoverers of chloroform (see Chloroform ). The Liebig condenser, used in distilling liquids, was named for him.
Liebig was born in Darmstadt, Germany, on May 12, 1803, and studied in Paris. He died in Munich, Germany, on April 18, 1873.
See also Wöhler, Friedrich .
