Glauber, Johann Rudolf (1604–1670)

German chemist who in about 1625 discovered the salt known variously as Glauber's salt and ‘sal mirabile’ (sodium sulphate). He made his living selling patent medicines and used the salt to treat almost any complaint.

Glauber was born in Karlstadt, Franconia, and was self-educated. After many years of travelling in Europe, he settled in Amsterdam 1655 and built a chemical laboratory there.

Glauber investigated and developed processes that could have industrial application. He prepared nitric acid by substituting saltpetre (potassium nitrate) for salt in the reaction with sulphuric acid. He made many metal chlorides and nitrates from the mineral acids, and produced organic liquids containing such solvents as acetone (dimethylketone) and benzene – although he did not identify them – by reacting and distilling natural substances such as wood, wine, and vegetable oils.

The chemical techniques involved are described in his book Opera omnia chymica 1651–61. He outlined his views on a possible utopian future for Germany in Teutschlands-Wohlfahrt/Germany's Prosperity.