The Formation of the German Chemical Community 1720-1795

The Formation of the German Chemical Community (1720-1795) delves into the development of the chemical discipline in Germany during the 18th century, specifically focusing on the social and institutional conditions that led to the creation of a national community of chemists. The study examines how chemists in Germany began to perceive themselves as a cohesive professional group, united by shared goals and responsibilities, and how this solidarity influenced their reception of revolutionary scientific ideas, such as Lavoisier’s theory. Through a thorough analysis of key figures, journals, and institutional histories, the book provides a nuanced understanding of the intellectual and social networks that fostered the rise of chemistry as a distinct scientific field in Germany.

The book explores how the German chemical community was shaped not just by intellectual currents but also by external support from the Enlightenment, including financial and moral backing from state and academic institutions. It emphasizes how chemists, particularly those following the rational-utilitarian approach led by figures like G. E. Stahl, distanced themselves from alchemy and iatrochemistry, positioning chemistry as a rational science with wide-reaching practical applications. By tracing the formation of this community and its response to scientific revolutions, the author argues that the evolution of chemistry in Germany during the 18th century played a crucial role in the professionalization of the science in the 19th century.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1982.