An original antique steel engraving, portrait of Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier (1743–1794) — the Father of Modern Chemistry, one of the most important scientists in human history. Engraved by W.G. Jackman, published by D. Appleton & Co., New York, c.1850–1870.

Antoine Lavoisier transformed chemistry from a collection of alchemical observations into a rigorous modern science. He identified and named oxygen and hydrogen, disproved the phlogiston theory, established the law of conservation of mass, helped develop the metric system, and co-authored the first modern chemistry textbook, the Traité Élémentaire de Chimie (1789). A nobleman and tax collector as well as a scientist, he was arrested during the Reign of Terror and guillotined on May 8, 1794. When a friend pleaded for his life, the Revolutionary judge is said to have replied: "The Republic has no need of scientists." The mathematician Lagrange remarked: "It took them only an instant to cut off his head, but France may not produce another such head in a century."

D. Appleton & Company was one of the foremost American publishers of the 19th century, producing encyclopedias, scientific works, and illustrated reference volumes of enduring importance.

Details: Paper approximately 11" tall × 8" wide (portrait). Notable brown foxing and age staining throughout paper margins; engraved portrait is sharp and well-defined. Ships carefully protected between rigid cardboard backers.