JUSTUS von LIEBIG. 
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. * 
Translated from the German, by Prof. J. CAMPBELL Brown.t 
My father, who had a color ware-house, frequently occupied himself 
in making some of the colors in which he dealt, and for that purpose 
had fitted up for himself a smail laboratory to which I had access, and 
where I sometimes enjoyed the privilege of helping him. He made his 
experiments as prescribed in works upon chemistry, which were, with 
great liberality, lent to the inhabitants of Darmstadt from the rich 
court library. 
The lively interest which I took in my father’s labors naturally led 
me to read the books which guided him in his experiments, and such a 
passion for these books was gradually developed in me that I became 
indifferent to every other thing that ordinarily attracts children. Since 
*Read at a joint meeting of societies in the chemical laboratories, University Col- 
lege, Liverpool, on Wednesday evening, March 18, 1891, by Prof. J. Campbell Brown, 
D.Se. (From The Chemical News, June 5 and 12, 1891; vol. LXIU, pp. 265-267 and 
276-278. ) 
t {At the recent celebration of the jubilee of the Chemical Society, reference was 
made to the wonderful energy and ability of Liebig; to the great work which he 
did in founding organic chemistry, and to the immense stimulus which he gaye, 
alike in his own country and in England, to scientific investigation in pure chemistry 
and in its applications to agriculture, physiology, and pathology. 
Very opportunely a portion of an autobiographical sketch in Liebig’s own hand- 
writing has just come to light, in which he gives a most interesting account of the 
formation of his habits of thought, and of the development of his scientific activity. 
He also gives an amusing description of the lectures given in his student days by 
professors of the deductive method. 
In his sixtieth year, we are told, Liebig wrote some biographical sketches which 
were laid aside and could not be found when he wished to resume them. They 
were never finished. A portion of the manuscript was found among some other 
papers in Liebig’s handwriting, by his son, Dr. Georg Baron von Liebig, and has 
been published by the latter in the Deutsche Rundschauw for January, 1891. Mr. E. 
K. Muspratt has been good enough to lend me a copy which he received from his 
friend, the present baron. 
I have endeavored to render it into English as literally as the difference in the idiom 
and modes of expression in the two languages will permit; and it is now made 
public in England by the kind permission of the Deutsche Rundschau. 
His method of teaching and its remarkable success are worthy of attention at the 
present time, when technical education is occupying se wuch of the public mind. } 
H. Mis. 334, pt. 1 li go7 
