Preceden

Antoine Lavoisier Timeline

(1743 - 1794)

Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794) was a French chemist widely regarded as the father of modern chemistry. He revolutionized science by establishing the law of conservation of mass, identifying the role of oxygen in combustion, debunking the phlogiston theory, and helping develop the metric system and systematic chemical nomenclature. Despite his scientific contributions, he was executed during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and Education

Birth of Antoine Lavoisier

Aug 26, 1743

Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier was born to a wealthy family of the nobility in Paris on 26 August 1743. He would go on to become a French nobleman and chemist central to the 18th-century chemical revolution, with a large influence on both the history of chemistry and the history of biology.

Image source: Antoine Lavoisier

Birth of Antoine Lavoisier

Begins schooling at Collège des Quatre-Nations

1754

Lavoisier began his schooling at the Collège des Quatre-Nations, University of Paris (also known as the Collège Mazarin) in Paris in 1754 at the age of 11.

Scientific interests aroused in final school years

1760 - 1761

In his last two years (1760–1761) at the school, his scientific interests were aroused, and he studied chemistry, botany, astronomy, and mathematics.

Receives bachelor's degree in law

1763

Lavoisier entered the school of law, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1763.

Studies geology under Jean-Étienne Guettard

1763 - 1767

From 1763 to 1767, Lavoisier studied geology under Jean-Étienne Guettard, gaining field experience that shaped his early scientific training.

Image source: Jean-Étienne Guettard

Studies geology under Jean-Étienne Guettard

Receives licentiate in law

1764

Lavoisier received his licentiate in law in 1764, completing his formal legal education.

Marries Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze

1771

Lavoisier consolidated his social and economic position when, in 1771 at age 28, he married Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze, the 13-year-old daughter of a senior member of the Ferme générale. She would become a vital collaborator in his scientific work.

Image source: Marie-Anne Paulze Lavoisier

Marries Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze

David portrait completed ahead of the Revolution

1788

Completed in 1788 on the eve of the Revolution, the painting of Lavoisier and his wife by Jacques-Louis David was denied a customary public display at the Paris Salon for fear that it might inflame anti-aristocratic passions.

Image source: Portrait of Antoine and Marie-Anne Lavoisier

David portrait completed ahead of the Revolution

Scientific Career

Reads first paper to the French Academy of Sciences

1764

In 1764 Lavoisier read his first paper to the French Academy of Sciences, France's most elite scientific society, on the chemical and physical properties of gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate).

Image source: French Academy of Sciences

Reads first paper to the French Academy of Sciences

First chemical publication appears

1764

Lavoisier's first chemical publication appeared in 1764, marking the start of his career as a working scientist.

Geological survey of Alsace–Lorraine

Jun 1767

In collaboration with Guettard, Lavoisier worked on a geological survey of Alsace–Lorraine in June 1767.

Provisional appointment to the Academy of Sciences

1768

In 1768 Lavoisier received a provisional appointment to the Academy of Sciences, cementing his place among France's elite scientists.

Works on the first geological map of France

1769

In 1769, Lavoisier worked on the first geological map of France, applying the geological training he had received under Guettard.

Turns attention to combustion

1772

During late 1772 Lavoisier turned his attention to the phenomenon of combustion, the topic on which he was to make his most significant contribution to science.

Reviews literature on air

1773

During 1773 Lavoisier determined to review thoroughly the literature on air, particularly 'fixed air,' and to repeat many of the experiments of other workers in the field.

Calcination experiments on tin and lead

1774

In the spring of 1774, Lavoisier carried out experiments on the calcination of tin and lead in sealed vessels, the results of which conclusively confirmed that the increase in weight of metals in combustion was due to combination with air.

Publishes Opuscules physiques et chimiques

1774

Lavoisier published an account of his review of the literature on air in 1774 in a book entitled Opuscules physiques et chimiques (Physical and Chemical Essays), printed in Paris by Chez Durand, Didot, Esprit.

Demonstrates conservation of mass

1774

In 1774, Lavoisier showed that, although matter can change its state in a chemical reaction, the total mass of matter is the same at the end as at the beginning of every chemical change. In France this is taught as Lavoisier's Law: 'Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed.'

Image source: Conservation of mass

Demonstrates conservation of mass

Reads the Easter Memoir to the Academy

Apr 26, 1775

Lavoisier's memoir On the Nature of the Principle Which Combines with Metals during Their Calcination and Increases Their Weight was read to the Academy on 26 April 1775, commonly referred to as the Easter Memoir.

First memoirs on respiration read to the Academy

1777

Lavoisier's first memoirs on respiration were read to the Academy of Sciences in 1777, though his most significant contribution to this field came later in association with Laplace.

Names oxygen as an element

1778

Lavoisier named oxygen (1778), recognizing it as an element. The 'official' version of his Easter Memoir appeared in 1778, in which he stated that the principle combining with metals on calcination was 'nothing else than the healthiest and purest part of the air' or the 'eminently respirable part of the air'.

Image source: Oxygen

Names oxygen as an element

Publishes Mémoire sur la chaleur with Laplace

1780

With Pierre-Simon Laplace, Lavoisier published 'Mémoire sur la chaleur' in the Mémoires de l'Académie des sciences (1780). His most significant contribution to respiration research was made in the winter of 1782–1783 in association with Laplace.

Names hydrogen as an element

1783

In 1783 Lavoisier recognized hydrogen as an element, adding to his growing list of elemental identifications that reshaped chemistry.

Image source: Hydrogen

Names hydrogen as an element

Recognizes water as oxide of hydrogen gas

Jun 1783

Lavoisier learned of Cavendish's experiment in June 1783 via Charles Blagden (before the results were published in 1784), and immediately recognized water as the oxide of a 'hydrogenerative' gas.

Reads Réflexions sur le phlogistique to the academy

Jun 28, 1783 - Jul 13, 1783

In 1783 Lavoisier read to the academy his paper entitled Réflexions sur le phlogistique (Reflections on Phlogiston), a full-scale attack on the current phlogiston theory of combustion, delivered over two nights, 28 June and 13 July 1783.

Image source: Antoine Lavoisier

Reads Réflexions sur le phlogistique to the academy

Reports composition of water to the Académie

Apr 1784

Lavoisier submitted his findings of the composition of water to the Académie des Sciences in April 1784, reporting his figures to eight decimal places.

Submits reforms of chemical nomenclature to the academy

1787

Lavoisier, together with Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau, Claude-Louis Berthollet, and Antoine François de Fourcroy, submitted a new program for the reforms of chemical nomenclature to the academy in 1787, for there was virtually no rational system of chemical nomenclature at this time.

Image source: Chemical nomenclature

Submits reforms of chemical nomenclature to the academy

Publication of Méthode de nomenclature chimique

1787

This work, titled Méthode de nomenclature chimique (Method of Chemical Nomenclature, 1787), introduced a new system which was tied inextricably to Lavoisier's new oxygen theory of chemistry.

Publishes Traité élémentaire de chimie

1789

Lavoisier employed the new nomenclature in his Traité élémentaire de chimie (Elementary Treatise on Chemistry), published in 1789 (Paris: Chez Cuchet), containing the famous statement paraphrased as 'Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed.'

Image source: Traité Élémentaire de Chimie

Publishes Traité élémentaire de chimie

Continues respiration experiments with Armand Seguin

1789 - 1790

Lavoisier continued his respiration experiments in 1789–1790 in cooperation with Armand Seguin, extending his pioneering work on the physiology of breathing.

Public Service

Submits essay on improving urban street lighting

1765

The first instance of Lavoisier's civic engagement with the Academy occurred in 1765, when he submitted an essay on improving urban street lighting to the French Academy of Sciences.

Project to design an aqueduct

1768

Three years after his street lighting essay, in 1768, Lavoisier focused on a new project to design an aqueduct, continuing his practical civic work.

Study on reconstructing the Hôtel-Dieu hospital

1772

In 1772, Lavoisier performed a study on how to reconstruct the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, after it had been damaged by fire, in a way that would allow proper ventilation and clean air throughout.

Image source: Hôtel-Dieu, Paris

Study on reconstructing the Hôtel-Dieu hospital

Made commissioner of gunpowder

1775

In 1775 Lavoisier was made one of four commissioners of gunpowder appointed to replace a private company, similar to the Ferme Générale, which had proved unsatisfactory in supplying France with its munitions requirements.

Publishes L'art de fabriquer le salin et la potasse

1779

In 1779 Lavoisier published L'art de fabriquer le salin et la potasse in Paris, issued by order of the King through the régisseurs-généraux des Poudres & Salpêtres, drawing on his work as gunpowder commissioner.

Investigations on hygiene in prisons

1780

Lavoisier took part in investigations in 1780 (and again in 1791) on the hygiene in prisons and made suggestions to improve living conditions, suggestions which were largely ignored.

Report on experimental farm to the Commission

1788

In 1788 Lavoisier presented a report to the Commission detailing ten years of efforts on his experimental farm to introduce new crops and types of livestock.

Commission recommends adoption of metric system

Mar 1791

Lavoisier chaired the commission set up to establish a uniform system of weights and measures which in March 1791 recommended the adoption of the metric system.

Image source: History of the metric system

Commission recommends adoption of metric system

Courses taught publicly at the Lycée

1793

Funded by the wealthy and noble, the Lycée regularly taught courses to the public beginning in 1793, an educational effort associated with Lavoisier's circle during the Revolution.

Metric system adopted by the Convention

Aug 1, 1793

The new system of weights and measures recommended by Lavoisier's commission was adopted by the Convention on 1 August 1793.

Legacy

Awarded gold medal by the King for essay on street lighting

1766

In 1766 Lavoisier was awarded a gold medal by the King for an essay on the problems of urban street lighting, an early recognition of his talent.

Elected to the American Philosophical Society

1775

Lavoisier was elected as a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1775, reflecting international recognition of his scientific work.

Image source: American Philosophical Society

Elected to the American Philosophical Society

English translation of potash treatise published

1784

The Art of Manufacturing Alkaline Salts and Potashes, Published by Order of His Most Christian Majesty, and approved by the Royal Academy of Sciences, an English translation of his work, appeared in 1784.

English translation Elements of Chemistry published

1790

Elements of Chemistry, in a New Systematic Order, Containing All the Modern Discoveries, Robert Kerr's English translation of the Traité élémentaire de chimie, was published in Edinburgh by William Creech in 1790, spreading Lavoisier's ideas across Britain and beyond.

French Revolution and Death

Ferme générale abolished

Mar 1791

As the French Revolution gained momentum, attacks mounted on the deeply unpopular Ferme générale, and it was eventually abolished in March 1791, endangering Lavoisier who had been a member.

Loan of 71,000 livres to Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours

Jun 1791

In June 1791, Lavoisier made a loan of 71,000 livres to Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours to buy a printing works so that du Pont could publish a newspaper, La Correspondance Patriotique.

Image source: Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours

Loan of 71,000 livres to Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours

Forced to resign from Gunpowder Commission

1792

In 1792 Lavoisier was forced to resign from his post on the Gunpowder Commission and to move from his house and laboratory at the Royal Arsenal, where he had lived and worked between 1775 and 1792.

Learned societies including the Academy suppressed

Aug 8, 1793

On 8 August 1793, all the learned societies, including the Academy of Sciences, were suppressed at the request of Abbé Grégoire, ending the institution at the heart of Lavoisier's scientific life.

Arrest of all former tax farmers ordered

Nov 24, 1793

On 24 November 1793, the arrest of all the former tax farmers was ordered, placing Lavoisier, a former member of the Ferme générale, in grave danger.

Hands himself in at Port Royal convent

Nov 30, 1793

Although temporarily going into hiding, on 30 November 1793 Lavoisier handed himself into the Port Royal convent for questioning amid the crackdown on former tax farmers.

Removed from commission on weights and measures

Dec 23, 1793

Lavoisier himself was removed from the commission on weights and measures on 23 December 1793, together with mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace and several other members, for political reasons.

Convicted and guillotined in Paris

May 8, 1794

Lavoisier was convicted and guillotined on 8 May 1794 in Paris, at the age of 50, along with his 27 co-defendants, bringing an abrupt end to one of history's greatest scientific careers.

Key Facts

  1. Antoine Lavoisier was born on August 26, 1743, in Paris, France, to a wealthy family.
  2. He formulated the law of conservation of mass, stating that matter is neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions.
  3. Lavoisier disproved the phlogiston theory by demonstrating that combustion requires oxygen, which he named in 1779.
  4. In 1789, he published 'Traité élémentaire de chimie' (Elementary Treatise of Chemistry), considered the first modern chemistry textbook.
  5. He was guillotined on May 8, 1794, during the French Revolution, with mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange famously remarking, 'It took them only a moment to cut off that head, but France may not produce another like it for a century.'

Source

This Antoine Lavoisier timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

Create a timeline like this one for free

Generate yours with AI, or build it from scratch.

Try It for Free