Friedrich Wilhelm Semmler
Encyclopedia
Friedrich Wilhelm Semmler (May 11, 1836, Hochzeit
, Province of Brandenburg
– March 15, 1931) was a German chemist
.
at the University of Greifswald in 1890. From 1896 till 1907 Semmler was professor at the University of Greifswald. After a two year time working with Hermann Emil Fischer
in Berlin Semmler accepted a position at the University of Breslau.
After World War I
Semmler increased his involvement into politics and he was elected in January 1919 for the German National People's Party
as member of the Weimar National Assembly
. Subsequently he was also elected for the German Parliament for the period between 1920 and 1924. From 1925 until his death in 1931 he was member of the Preußischer Landtag
.
During his academic career he focused on the research on terpene
s. He was also able to determine the structure of various terpenes and of the main compound of garlic oil, diallyl disulfide
.
Stare Osieczno
Stare Osieczno is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Dobiegniew, within Strzelce-Drezdenko County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland...
, Province of Brandenburg
Province of Brandenburg
The Province of Brandenburg was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Free State of Prussia from 1815 to 1946.-History:The first people who are known to have inhabited Brandenburg were the Suevi. They were succeeded by the Slavonians, whom Henry II conquered and converted to Christianity in...
– March 15, 1931) was a German chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
.
Life
Semmler studied chemistry at the University of Straßburg and at the University of Breslau. He received is PhD in Breslau in 1887 and his habilitationHabilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
at the University of Greifswald in 1890. From 1896 till 1907 Semmler was professor at the University of Greifswald. After a two year time working with Hermann Emil Fischer
Hermann Emil Fischer
Hermann Emil Fischer, Emil Fischer was a German chemist and 1902 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He discovered the Fischer esterification. He developed the Fischer projection, a symbolic way of drawing asymmetric carbon atoms.-Early years:Fischer was born in Euskirchen, near Cologne,...
in Berlin Semmler accepted a position at the University of Breslau.
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Semmler increased his involvement into politics and he was elected in January 1919 for the German National People's Party
German National People's Party
The German National People's Party was a national conservative party in Germany during the time of the Weimar Republic. Before the rise of the NSDAP it was the main nationalist party in Weimar Germany composed of nationalists, reactionary monarchists, völkisch, and antisemitic elements, and...
as member of the Weimar National Assembly
Weimar National Assembly
The Weimar National Assembly governed Germany from February 6, 1919 to June 6, 1920 and drew up the new constitution which governed Germany from 1919 to 1933, technically remaining in effect even until the end of Nazi rule in 1945...
. Subsequently he was also elected for the German Parliament for the period between 1920 and 1924. From 1925 until his death in 1931 he was member of the Preußischer Landtag
Preußischer Landtag
Preußischer Landtag or Prussian Landtag was the Landtag of the Kingdom of Prussia, which was implemented in 1849 after the dissolution of the Prussian National Assembly, building on the tradition of the Prussian estates that had existed from the 14th century in various forms and states in Teutonic...
.
During his academic career he focused on the research on terpene
Terpene
Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers, though also by some insects such as termites or swallowtail butterflies, which emit terpenes from their osmeterium. They are often strong smelling and thus may have had a protective...
s. He was also able to determine the structure of various terpenes and of the main compound of garlic oil, diallyl disulfide
Diallyl disulfide
Diallyl disulfide is an organosulfur compound found in plants of the genus Allium. Along with diallyl trisulfide and diallyl tetrasulfide, it is one of the principal components of the distilled oil of garlic. It is a yellowish liquid which is insoluble in water and has a strong garlic odor...
.