Nicolas Leblanc
Leblanc, Nicolas
Born Dec. 6, 1742, in Ivoy-le-Pré, Cher Department; died Jan. 16,1806, in Saint-Denis. French chemical engineer.
Leblanc developed (1787–89) the first industrial method for producing soda (sodium carbonate) from common salt. The first soda plant to employ Leblanc’s method was put into operation in France in 1791. During the French Revolution, Leblanc was appointed director of gunpowder and saltpeter production. Ruined after his patent for soda production was cancelled and the soda plant shut down, Leblanc committed suicide.