MSU Gallery of Chemists' Photo-Portraits and Mini-Biographies

* Ira Remsen

1846-1927

 

Portrait: 104
Location - Floor: First - Zone: Room 138 - Wall: South - Sequence: 3
Source: Kedzie Collection
Sponsor: John Funkhouser


 
Ira Remsen
 

Prior to Remsen's time, most Americans who wanted an advanced education in chemical research went to Europe (mainly Germany) for it. More than anyone else, Remsen changed that pattern; his laboratory at the Johns Hopkins University became a center for the training of chemists. His fame rests on his brilliance as a teacher, lecturer, text writer, builder of a university (he became its president) and inspirer of students. His research, generally regarded as of less significance, involved mainly aromatic chemistry, and with his student, Constantin Fahlberg, he accidentally discovered saccharin.