Berthelot
PIERRE EUGENE MARCELLIN (ber-tel-ō'), a French chemist, born in Paris, Oct. 25, 1827; early studied chemistry, and in 1859 was appointed Professor of Organic Chemistry in the Superior School of Pharmacy. In 1865 a new chair of organic chemistry was organized for him in the College of France. In 1870 he was elected president of the scientific committee of defense, and during the siege of Paris was intrusted with the manufacture of ammunition and guns, and especially dynamite and nitro-glycerine.
In 1878 he became president of the committee on explosives, which introduced smokeless powder. His labors also led to the discovery of dyes extracted from coal tar. He received the decoration of the Legion of Honor in 1861; Commander in 1879, and Grand Officer in 1886. In 1889 he was elected Permanent Secretary of the Academy of Sciences. His works include "Chimie organique fondée sur la synthèse" (1860); "Leçons sur les principes sucrés" (1862); "Leçons sur l'Isomérie" (1865); "Traité elementaire de chimie organique" and "Sur la force de la poudre et des matières explosives" (1872-1889); "Les Origines de l'alchimie" (1885); "Collection des anciens BERTILLON alchimistes grecs" (1888); "Chimie des anciens" (1889); etc. He died March 18, 1907.