Antoine Lavoisier

Antoine Lavoisier was born to a wealthy family in Paris, France. His father, Jean-Antoine Lavoisier, was a lawyer and a member of the Parliament of Paris.

Lavoisier begins his education at the prestigious Collège Mazarin in Paris, where he excels in mathematics, chemistry, and botany, laying the foundation for his future scientific pursuits.

Lavoisier graduates from Collège Mazarin with a strong background in science and law. Despite his family's wishes for him to pursue a legal career, his passion for science is evident.

Lavoisier follows his family's wishes and becomes a lawyer, but continues to pursue his interest in science, particularly in geology and chemistry, as a sideline.

Lavoisier is elected to the prestigious French Academy of Sciences, recognizing his early contributions to geology and his innovative work in chemistry.

Lavoisier marries Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze, who becomes his scientific collaborator and helps him in his experiments and publications. She is also known for her translations and illustrations.

Lavoisier conducts groundbreaking experiments that demonstrate the role of oxygen in combustion, challenging the prevailing phlogiston theory and laying the foundation for modern chemistry.

Lavoisier publishes 'Elements of Chemistry,' a foundational text that introduces the concept of chemical elements and the law of conservation of mass, revolutionizing the field of chemistry.

Lavoisier becomes a tax farmer, part of the Ferme Générale, a private company that collected taxes for the French government. This role increases his wealth but also makes him a target during the Revolution.

As the French Revolution intensifies, Lavoisier is targeted for his role as a tax farmer and his association with the aristocracy. His properties are seized, and he is arrested.

Antoine Lavoisier is tried and convicted by the Revolutionary Tribunal. He is executed by guillotine in Paris, a tragic end to the life of one of the most influential chemists in history.