Hermann Emil Fischer
He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on sugar and purine syntheses.
Most quoted
"The astonishingly close relationship between the chemical constitution and the physiological action of organic compounds is one of the most interesting and significant facts in the whole realm of biology."
— from Speech, 1894
"Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon compounds. Inorganic chemistry is the chemistry of everything else. And physical chemistry is the chemistry of nothing at all."
— from Attributed anecdote
"The chemist, like the artist, is driven by a profound curiosity about the nature of reality, seeking to understand the fundamental building blocks and their interactions."
— from Unknown
All quotes by Hermann Emil Fischer (412)
Stereochemistry is not merely a descriptive science; it is a predictive science, capable of guiding our synthetic efforts.
The distinction between organic and inorganic chemistry is becoming increasingly blurred as we delve deeper into the complexities of molecular structure.
The pursuit of pure compounds is not an end in itself, but a necessary step towards understanding their fundamental properties and reactivity.
The complexity of biological molecules demands a level of precision and analytical rigor that far surpasses what is typically applied in simpler organic syntheses.
The concept of 'vital force' is an impediment to scientific progress; all phenomena, even those of life, must ultimately be explicable by chemical and physical laws.
Our understanding of the sugars is a testament to the power of systematic degradation and synthesis in unraveling complex structures.
The synthesis of caffeine and theobromine demonstrates that even complex natural products can be built up from simpler, readily available starting materials.
The study of purines will reveal fundamental insights into the chemistry of heredity and life itself.
The precise arrangement of atoms in space, not merely their elemental composition, dictates the properties and biological activity of a molecule.
The chemical industry, if guided by scientific principles, has the potential to revolutionize human welfare.
The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, without immediate practical application, often leads to the most profound and unexpected discoveries.
The synthesis of polypeptides, though arduous, will ultimately provide the key to understanding protein structure and function.
The chemical bond, though invisible, is the fundamental force governing all molecular interactions.
The development of new synthetic methods is as important as the discovery of new compounds.
The scientific method, with its emphasis on experimentation and rigorous proof, is the only reliable path to truth.
The understanding of fermentation is a chemical problem, not a mystical one.
The application of physical methods to chemical problems will yield unprecedented insights.
The education of future chemists must emphasize both theoretical understanding and practical laboratory skills.
The international collaboration of scientists is essential for addressing the grand challenges of chemistry.
The pursuit of scientific excellence requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to challenge established dogma.
Contemporaries of Hermann Emil Fischer
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Hermann Emil Fischer (1852–1919).