Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff
Dutch physical chemist, first Nobel laureate in chemistry.
Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff Jr. He is widely considered one of the three co-founders of physical chemistry.
- field
- Physical chemistry, organic chemistry
- nationality
- Dutch
Lore & Background
Van 't Hoff was the third of seven children, born in Rotterdam to a physician father and mother Alida Kolff van 't Hoff. From a young age he was interested in science and nature, and frequently took part in botanical excursions. In his early school years, he showed a strong interest in poetry and philosophy, considering Lord Byron his idol.
Reader's Guide
Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff's significance lies in his foundational contributions across multiple branches of chemistry. His legacy includes the Van 't Hoff factor, Van 't Hoff equation, and Le Bel–Van 't Hoff rule, and his work on salt deposits aided Prussia's chemical industry. He was elected to numerous academies and received many honors, including the Davy Medal and honorary doctorates from Harvard, Yale, and other universities.
Did You Know?
- He considered Lord Byron his idol during his early school years.
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