The son of a Darmstadt pharmacist, Justus von Liebig (1803–1873) made a number of significant contributions to organic chemistry; he is also considered the founder of agricultural chemistry. His achievements included: the reorganization of chemistry courses at schools and universities through the introduction of the laboratory method; groundbreaking research into the composition of foodstuffs that led to the development of a process for the large-scale production of meat extract; and the creation of an artificial fertilizer, which, in conjunction with mechanization, resulted in a virtual agricultural revolution, increasing yields substantially. This wood engraving shows Liebig’s bustling chemical laboratory at the University of Giessen. Liebig, dressed in a light blue coat, looks on from the center rear of the laboratory. Colored wood engraving by Wilhelm Trautschold (1815–1877), c. 1840.