Robert Bunsen
1811–1899 · German · Victorian Era
Known for: Co-invented spectroscopy, discovered cesium and rubidium, created the Bunsen burner
Robert Bunsen was the quintessential laboratory chemist. He co-invented spectroscopy with Kirchhoff—revealing that every element has a unique light signature—and discovered cesium and rubidium. He created the Bunsen burner, which became the icon of chemistry labs worldwide.
He lost an eye in an explosion but kept working. He never married, saying 'I never had time.' He was a beloved teacher.
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