Edmund Oscar von Lippmann

Edmund Oskar von Lippmann ( born January 9, 1857 in Vienna, † September 24, 1940 in Halle / Saale ) was a German chemist, sugar technologist and historian of science. From 1890 to 1926 he headed in Halle ( Saale), one of the largest sugar factories in Germany. With basic teaching and textbooks on sugar chemistry, as well as the cultural history of sugar beet and sugar, he acquired an excellent international reputation.

Life and work

Edmund Oskar von Lippmann, the son of a sugar factory studied, since 1874 Chemistry at the Polytechnic ( ETH) Zurich and since 1877 at the University of Heidelberg. There he received his doctorate in 1878 under the aegis of the chemist Robert Bunsen with the dissertation " The sugar, its derivatives and its proof ." 1881 Lippmann Director of the sugar refinery in Duisburg and in 1884 director of the newly built sugar factory Rositz at Altenburg. In 1890 he took over the technical management of the sugar refinery in Halle ( Saale), which he developed with relatively few resources to one of the largest and most efficient sugar factories in Germany. As experienced industrial chemist he managed the development of new refining processes for sugar extraction. 1926, in his 70th year, he went into retirement. When in 1933 questionnaires were issued to establish Jewish ancestors, he resigned from his teaching job. After the questionnaire but then completed his teaching license was revoked in 1935.

Besides his work as director of refinery Lippmann was also a prolific researcher in the field of sugar chemistry, chemical technology and the history of chemistry. He has published about two hundred scientific papers, including several textbooks and manuals. Among his most important book publications include the book " The sugars and their derivatives (1882 ), which in its third edition (1904 ) with a total volume of more than 2000 printed pages under the title " has been published The chemistry of sugars. " It was several decades as the authoritative standard work in the field of sugar chemistry.

From the history of science works Lippmann are emphasized: " history of sugar, its representation and use, from the earliest times to the beginning of the beet sugar factory " ( first edition 1890) and "History of beet ( Beta) as a crop from the earliest times until the appearance Achard 's major work (1809 ) "( first edition 1925). Noteworthy of the extensive chemical and historical publications are his " Essays and Lectures on the History of Natural Sciences" ( two volumes, 1906, 1913) and the three -volume work " the emergence and spread of Alchemy" (1919, 1931, 1954). Lippmann has its historical scientific work carefully documented and embedded in the general cultural history. They found in the technical high recognition.

For his scientific achievements Lippmann high honors were bestowed. Prussia gave him in 1901 as the first personality in non-governmental position the title of professor. From 1926 to 1933 Lippmann held as Honorary Professor of the History of Science Lectures at the University of Halle (Saale ). The Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin in 1919 awarded him the Silver Medal Leibniz and the German Society for the History of Medicine, Science and Technology 1926, Sudhoff Medal. It was also Lippmann member of the German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina in Halle (Saale ) (since 1898), Honorary Doctor of the Technical University of Dresden, the University of Halle (Saale ) and Rostock University, and an honorary member of all German and several foreign associations of sugar industry.

Major works

• The sugars and their derivatives. Verlag Vieweg Braunschweig in 1882; 2nd edition 1895 ibid.; 3rd edition ibid. 1904. The 2nd and 3rd edition published in two volumes under the title The chemistry of sugars.
• History of sugar, its presentation and use, from the earliest times to the beginning of the beet sugar production: a contribution to cultural history. - Leipzig. Hesse, 1890 Digitized edition of the University and State Library Dusseldorf
• History of sugar, its presentation and use, from the earliest times to the beginning of the beet sugar production. A contribution to cultural history. Publisher Hesse Leipzig in 1890; 2nd edition, Verlag Julius Springer Berlin 1929; Reprint of the edition of 1929 with additions and amendments, Verlag M. Sändig Niederwalluf at Wiesbaden in 1970.
• The development of the German sugar industry from 1850 to 1900. Studies in the fiftieth anniversary Bestande of the Association of the German sugar industry. Publisher Hesse & Becker Leipzig 1900.
• Essays and lectures on the history of science. 2 volumes, published by Veit Leipzig, Vol 1 1906; Vol 2, 1913.
• Emergence and spread of alchemy. With an appendix: To the older history of the metals. A contribution to cultural history. Julius Springer Verlag Berlin 1919, Digitized edition of the University and State Library Dusseldorf Reprint this issue: Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim, 1978; Vol 2 with the addition of: A reading and reference book, published by Julius Springer Berlin 1931; Vol 3, edited by Richard Lippmann, Verlag Chemie Weinheim 1954.