Chemist, born in Darmstadt. He studied in Bonn and Erlangen. In 1822, he moved to Paris, where he worked with Gay-Lussac. He became a professor of chemistry in Giessen (1824) and Munich (1852). He developed new analytical methods. He was granted the title of Baron in 1845.

Relying on his reputation as an outstanding chemist, Liebig dared to publish his insights into the chemistry of plant and animal nutrition as well as the cycle of substances in nature, which stood in stark contrast to the prevailing academic opinion. In 1840, his *Agricultural Chemistry*—"Organic Chemistry in its Application to Agriculture and Physiology"—was published. At that time, he had not yet conducted any of his own research in the field of agricultural chemistry and plant nutrition. The work was initially very well received... It took twenty years of studies until Liebig, who had expanded and modified his theories, managed to turn the ensuing controversy in his favor.

He believed that all elements were absorbed by plants like a sponge (rather than selectively). His main contribution to plant nutrition was refuting the humus theory.