Hermann Emil Fischer-9 October 1852 – 15 July 1919

Hermann Emil Fischer-9 October 1852 – 15 July 1919

Hermann Emil Louis Fischer, known as Emil Fischer, was born on October 9, 1852, in Euskirchen, near Cologne, Germany. He was the son of Laurenz Fischer, a businessman, and his wife Julie Poensgen. Fischer’s early education was under a private tutor before he attended local schools in Wetzlar and Bonn. Despite his father’s initial wish for him to join the family lumber business, Fischer’s passion for natural sciences prevailed. After an unsuccessful stint in the business, he was allowed to pursue his interests and began his higher education at the University of Bonn in 1871. However, he transferred to the University of Strasbourg in 1872, where he studied under Adolf von Baeyer and earned his doctorate in 1874. Fischer’s early academic journey was marked by a transition from a compelled business role to a dedicated pursuit of chemistry, setting the stage for his future contributions to the field.

Emil Fischer was a German chemist, renowned for his significant contributions in the field of chemistry. His groundbreaking work focused on the structure and synthesis of sugars and proteins, which has had profound implications in biochemistry and medicine. Fischer’s work on sugars, known as Fischer projection, led him to establish the configurations of all the known sugars and correctly predicted the possible isomers, resulting in the receipt of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1902. This fundamental understanding of sugar chemistry set the groundwork for much of modern biochemistry and molecular biology. Fischer’s work didn’t stop at sugars. He also made significant strides in understanding proteins. His research led to the first synthesis of peptides, which are the building blocks of proteins. This helped lay the groundwork for modern understanding of protein structure and function.

Emil Fischer was born in Euskirchen, near Cologne, Germany. His father wanted him to work with the family business, but after having tried it for a while, Fischer’s father agreed to allow his son to study science. In 1874 he received his PhD at the University of Strasbourg under the leadership of Adolf von Baeyer, 1905 Chemistry Laureate, and eventually he became a professor in Berlin. Fischer’s work synthesizing food was part of a broader development of artificial materials, in which researchers and industry collaborated.

Carbohydrates, including sugar, are crucial to the biological processes of living organisms. In 1877 Emil Fischer produced phenylhydrazine, a base that helped reveal sugar molecules’ structures. Fischer was able to produce several sugars artificially and to map the structure of their molecules. Another group of substances with important biological functions is nitrogenous compounds, or purines. Fischer showed that purines form the caffeine found in coffee and its equivalents in tea and cacao.

Fischer was made a Prussian Geheimrat (Excellenz), and held honorary doctorates of the Universities of Christiania, Cambridge (England), Manchester and Brussels. He was also awarded the Prussian Order of Merit and the Maximilian Order for Arts and Sciences. In 1902 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on sugar and purine syntheses.

Hermann Emil Louis Fischer illustrious career began after earning his doctorate under Adolf von Baeyer in 1874. Fischer’s groundbreaking work in understanding the chemistry of carbohydrates, purines, and proteins earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1902. His discovery of phenylhydrazine and its application in sugar research, as well as the development of the Fischer projection, a method to represent molecules in two dimensions, were pivotal in advancing organic chemistry. Fischer’s contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the Davy Medal in 1890, the Faraday Lectureship Prize in 1907, and the Elliott Cresson Medal in 1913. He was also honored with the Prussian Order of Merit and the Maximilian Order for Arts and Sciences for his services to science. Fischer’s legacy extends beyond his discoveries; he was instrumental in proposing the creation of the International Atomic Weights Commission in 1897 and was elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society in 1899. His profound impact on the scientific community continues to be felt, as his methodologies and findings remain fundamental to the study of organic compounds. Hermann Emil Louis Fischer passed away on July 15, 1919, leaving behind a rich legacy of scientific achievement and innovation.

Fischer’s discovery of phenylhydrazine in the same year was a stepping stone that would influence much of his later work, including his Nobel Prize-winning research on sugars and purines. Fischer’s career was distinguished by several key appointments, including his roles at the University of Munich, University of Erlangen, and finally, the University of Berlin, where he succeeded von Hofmann as professor of chemistry. His marriage to Agnes Gerlach in 1888 and the subsequent loss of his wife and two of his three sons added personal trials to his life story. Despite these challenges, Fischer’s scientific contributions continued to flourish.

In 1888 Fischer married Agnes Gerlach, daughter of J. von Gerlach, Professor of Anatomy at Erlangen. Unhappily his wife died seven years after their marriage. They had three sons, one of whom was killed in the First World War; another took his own life at the age of 25 as a result of compulsory military training. The third son, Hermann Otto Laurenz Fischer, who died in 1960, was Professor of Biochemistry in the University of California at Berkeley.

In 1890, Fischer achieved a significant breakthrough by synthesizing glucose, fructose, and mannose from glycerol, which laid the groundwork for modern biochemistry and carbohydrate chemistry. His development of the Fischer projection and the Fischer esterification process are fundamental concepts that remain integral to organic chemistry education and research today. Fischer’s hypothesis of the lock and key mechanism of enzyme action was a precursor to our current understanding of enzyme-substrate interaction, further cementing his legacy in the field of biochemistry. Beyond his scientific achievements, Fischer’s influence extended to the establishment of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society and its related institutes for chemistry and physics in 1911, which played a crucial role in advancing scientific research in Germany. He also contributed to the organization of chemical production during World War I, showcasing his ability to apply scientific knowledge to practical challenges. Fischer’s impact on society and culture can be seen in the way his work has enabled advancements in various fields, from medicine to agriculture. His studies on sugars and enzymes have facilitated the development of pharmaceuticals and improved our understanding of biological processes. Tragically, the human and material costs of World War I, coupled with a diagnosis of intestinal cancer, led Fischer to a state of depression, and he passed away on July 15, 1919, under circumstances believed to be suicide. Despite the somber end to his life, Fischer’s scientific spirit lives on through the countless chemists and researchers who continue to build upon his foundational work. Hermann Emil Louis Fischer passed away on 15 July 1919, in Berlin, Germany, at the age of 66.

Awards And Honors

Elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society (ForMemRS) in 1899.

Prussian Order of Merit, recognizing distinguished service to the state.

Maximilian Order for Arts and Sciences, for exceptional contributions in these fields.

Below are the prestigious awards and honors received:

Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1902) for his work on sugar and purine syntheses.

Prussian Geheimrat (Excellenz), a title of honor in Germany.

Honorary doctorates from the Universities of Christiania, Cambridge (England), Manchester, and Brussels.