Antoine Lavoisier

Antoine Lavoisier (August 26, 1743-May 8, 1794) was a French chemist central to the 18th-century Chemical Revolution and considered to be the “Father of Modern Chemistry.” Lavoisier is most noted for his discovery of the role of two newly found gases, naming them oxygen (1778) and hydrogen (1783). He is credited with writing the first list of the Periodic Table of Elements and helped to create the metric system. Though he was a figurehead and member of strong political and economic activities that enabled him to fund his scientific research, Lavoisier was found guilty of conspiracy with the enemies of France. He was executed by guillotine on May 8, 1794.