Michel-Eugène Chevreul, (
born Aug. 31, 1786, Angers, France - died April 9, 1889, Paris),
French chemist who elucidated the chemical composition of animal fats and whose theories of colour influenced the techniques of French painting.
Background And Education
Chevreul belonged to a family of surgeons. After receiving a private education during the French Revolution, in 1799 Chevreul entered a new scientific school in Angers.
In 1803 he left for Paris, intending to become a chemist. Nicolas Vauquelin, professor of chemistry at the Museum of Natural History, accepted him as his assistant.
Vauquelin wanted to isolate substances from animal and plant materials, and under his direction between 1807-1811 Chevreul isolated several coloured substances from woods, three of which (brazilin, hematoxylin, and quercetin) became commercial dye ingredients.