Antoine LavoisierAntoine Lavoisier (1743-1794) Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier (lah vwah ZYAY) was one of the best-known French scientists and an important government official. His theories on combustion, his development of a method for classifying elements, and the first modern chemistry textbook led him to be known as the father of modern chemistry. He contributed to much of the research in chemistry. He is quoted as saying, "Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed." Lavoisier was born in Paris, France on August 26, 1743. When he was eleven years old he attended a college called Mazain. During his last two years of college Lavoisier found a great interest in science. He received an excellent education and developed an interest in all branches of science, especially chemistry. Abbot Nicolas Louis de Lacaill taught Lavoisier meteorological observation. In 1763 Lavoisier obtained his baccalaureate and in 1764 the license which allowed him to practice the profession. In his free time he studied books on science. His first article was written on gypsum, also known as hydrated calcium sulphate. He described its chemical and physical properties. He was elected to the French Academy of Sciences in 1768. In 1771 he married Marie Anne Pierrette Paulze. He helped Lavoisier by drawing diagrams for his scientific works and translating the English notation for him. Unlike previous chemists, Lavoisier paid special attention ...