464 FRIEDRICH WOHLER. 



teacher of chemistry and mineralogy in an industrial school founded 

 by Von Barensj^rung. While in Berlin he succeeded in isolating 

 aluminum by the action of sodium upon aluminic chloride, and pub- 

 lished papers upon various other subjects. In 1828, while still in 

 Berlin, he made his memorable discovery of the synthesis of urea. 

 We who are familiar with the artificial preparation of alizarin, of 

 indigo-blue, and of citric and uric acids, and who can see the shadow 

 of the coming syntheses of chinim and morphine, find it perhaps difficult 

 to understand the influence of Wohler's discovery in the year 1828. 

 But, as the first synthesis of an organic body from the elements, it 

 marks the beginning of an era in the history of chemistry. 



In 1831 Wohler removed from Berlin to Cassel, where his wife's family 

 resided, and where he obtained a professor's chair in the Gewerbschule. 

 Before this, however, his lifelong fi-iendship with Liebig had been formed, 

 and when, in 1832, his young wife died, Wohler sought for a time a 

 congenial home with Liebig in Giessen. There the two produced 

 their noble study of the oil of bitter almonds, — an investigation re- 

 ceived with a general burst of admiration, and which roused even the 

 calm nature of Berzelius to enthusiasm. In 1836 Wohler succeeded 

 Stromeyer at Gcittingen, and was succeeded at Cassel by Bunsen. 

 Then came the grand work with Liebig on uric acid. To this suc- 

 ceeded a long series of papers, partly in conjunction with Liebig, partly 

 his own exclusively. The complete list of Wohler's writings includes 

 two hundred and seventy-five titles. There is no department of chem- 

 istry not enriched by his labors. Many of his papers are very short, 

 but every one is at least suggestive. Every method in analytical 

 chemistry which he gave admitted of generalization. Nearly all the 

 rarer elements passed through his hands, and perhaps no chemist ever 

 had so wide an experience. 



Wohler had a mind fertile in methods, and a judgment seldom at 

 fault. His character was singularly well balanced, and an inborn, keen 

 sense of humor kept his whole nature sweet and wholesome. His 

 pupils were warmly attached to him. They celebrated his sixtieth 

 and seventieth birthdays, and the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery 

 of the synthesis of urea. But on his eightieth birthday chemists of 

 all lands united to honor the grand old man. Contributions poured in 

 from all quarters, and not last or least from our own country. A beauti- 

 ful marble medallion in a frame of bronze was the form which the 

 memorial assumed, and which, worthily bestowed, was accepted with a 

 few dignified and touching words. In 1880 the old chemist published 

 his last paper, — a brief notice of a galvanic element containing alumi- 



