biography
pronunciation:
[luhblã]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1742–1806)
|
| biography:
| Chemist and physician, born in Issoudun, C France. He trained as a physician, and became surgeon to the future Duke of Orléans in 1780. He devised a cheap, simple process for making sodium carbonate, essential in making glass, soap, and other chemicals. In 1791 he was granted a patent for his invention, and built a factory for its production. However, his factory was confiscated by the Revolutionary leaders in 1793 (it had been financed by the Duke), and although it was returned to him in 1802 by Napoleon, he had no money to continue, and committed suicide. His process continued to be used on a large scale for a century. |
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