The Formation of the German Chemical Community 1720–1795

Well before Germany emerged as a single nation or chemistry as a clearly defined profession, German chemists had formed a national scientific community that presaged the increasing specialization so characteristic of modern science. It found a forum in the chemical journal established by Lorenz Crell in 1778. It proved its cohesiveness first by rejecting Lavoisier's theory on nationalistic grounds & then, after a fierce struggle, by rallying behind "the French system." This pioneering study of the early German chemical community is rich in implications for the social history of science. Charts, tables, graphs & illustrations.