CHEVREUL, MICHEL-EUGNE

born Aug. 31, 1786, Angers, Fr. died April 9, 1889, Paris French chemist who began the study of the chemistry of fats. Although Chevreul had numerous teaching posts, his most important affiliation was with the Musum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, where he was an assistant from 1810, a professor from 1830, and director from 1864. In 1809 he began studying soaps and isolated oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, the most common fatty acids found in fats and oils. His findings changed soap manufacture from an art to an exact science. In 1825, in collaboration with the French chemist Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac, he patented manufacturing methods for producing candles far superior to those then in general use. Appointed director of dyeing at the Manufacture des Gobelins in 1824, Chevreul investigated the psychology of colour and established chemical standards that were invaluable to tapestry and carpet artist and artisan alike. A pioneer in gerontology, he investigated the psychological effects of aging.