New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-01
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dcated by vital statistics il at least two annuay during
tng pteeen year however but one Of members has
Natural Sciences in the Gni~srsy Of ca%SrdSe ' aS
ardent and successful cutiyator OF science highly
viii the %eaSss az is
session by one well qualified to do justice to his life and
justin. has 6 mot been @ to the is that Of
ing nasty sketch compiled from different sources
EULoGY ON JUsrUs Won IIEBIG
Had the ancestors Of Lebig been devoted the study
OF chemistry his character would have been cited
markaole instance OF hereditary propensity. He was
almost from his early childhood attracted chemistry
read with avidy all the books he could gain TO
this subject, and endangered his life with experiments of
He born in 1903 at Darmstadt the son Of grocer
ana paint merchant AT the age OF Is he placed at
his own desire, In the shop Of apohccary but not sat
him the o his vos Ss prepared
himself for entrance to university aud at the age OF 16
OF learning to study chemistry under Cashier Erangen
At this place he founded Students Society for the dis
Chemistry. In 1922 having Published scientific paper
which attracted the attention Of the Grand Duke Of
esse he was sent by this patron of merit to Paris to
JOY the advantages Of the instructions afforded by the
most masters Of science Of that day Here he
while at the same time he carrying series Of
named of the avam s soon 90 M" saned
the friendship OF his Teachers and attracted the attention
wherever exhibited procured him the appointment
OF Professor Extraordinary OF Chemistry In the Uni
of his age, and such was the ardor and talent
which he exhibited that two years later he elected
full professor He remained Ia Gessen. which was the
principal theater OF his renown until 1872 when he ac
ceed an invitation from tho Bavarian Government TO
occupy the chair OF Professor of Chemistry in the Uni
versty of Munich which he held till the time of bis
death, on the 18th Of April, 1873
possible to give an idea IN notice of this kind-indeed
Is name Is intimately associated with the progress of
fCmic acid led TO the recognition of the isomersm Of
fumaes and cyanc acids and were followed by series
nj lea IN he u1. ofc eva
Another series OF investigations was devoted to the
the anaOgies Of organic acids and phosphorus, and in
troduced into organic chemistry the idea of poybasic
Which alcohol is the hydraie lie gave much attention
TO the subject of fermentation. and violently
minute plants develop during the process Of fermen
tAtion is fact now well established, yet 1t may,
perhaps, be doubted whether the growth Of these minute
organisms is the OF the running down of complex
and unstable arrangement OF molecules into more stable
condition 1t not impossible that these grovhs may
mt the degree OF change and the descent take
place by series of steps instead Of making the whole fall
The most widely known parts of the investigations Of
Lebig were those which related to physiology and agr
culture The facts ch he discovered in regard to the
nutrition of plants and animals had practical apIca-
ton which gave them great prominence IN me public
mind. He most yOlGninous writer, ana his works
were translated from the German into many other IAN
In personal character he was ardent and impulsiye,
though generous and open impatient under conradlc
tOn fearless in controversy but above all HttcneSs or
sophSty, lover of truth, and Its FEARLESS and uncom
promising advocate.
an intimate acquaintance with him under circumstances
well suited TO observe his peculiar characteristics. IL
was during excursion with him In the highlands OF
Scotland. commended to him on account OF be-
ing an American He was an ardent Republican ana
ever cherished warm admiration Tor the institutions OF
country. This journey was TO him an occasion or the
repOse Of his active faculties and one for the graft
ncations of refined eousiby In view OF the beauties OF
nature. Under the influence Of these conditions lie was
aniabe, genial and sympathetic He made an imFes,
lapse nearly forty years wildly recalled while pen
ming this sketch The memory of my intercourse with
him efOIds CLEAN OF the past Invested with an interest
and melancholy pleasure not easily expressed 1t Is
sourse of qualification that IL has become my duty to com
pile these few line, to commemorate his life ana aD0rs