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Fritz Haber (1868–1934)

1918 Chemistry

For the synthesis of ammonia from its elements.

The German chemist Fritz Haber had broad interests in politics, history, economics and industry, but he is best remembered for his scientific work. Born in Breslau, Germany, now Wroclaw, Poland, Haber’s family was one of the oldest and most respected in the community. He obtained a classical education in his hometown then went on to study chemistry at universities in Berlin, Heidelberg and Zurich before volunteering to return to Breslau and help in his father’s business.

Haber’s enterprising spirit led him to change his plans again, however, and he determined to follow an academic career. He first worked at the University of Jena with Ludwig Knorr but was, even at this time, uncertain whether to pursue his studies in physics or chemistry. In 1894 he finally accepted an invitation to be an assistant to Hans Bunte, professor of chemical technology at Technische Hochschule, in Karlsruhe. It was also in Karlsruhe that he met Carl Engler. These two men would have an enormous influence on Haber’s professional life.

In 1911 he was appointed director of the Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, where he stayed for more than 20 years. He became a model leader of this vast institution, giving freedom to his colleagues while at the same time maintaining control over the school’s diverse activities. Those who came into contact with him recognized his strong personality, management skills and work ethic.

When World War I broke out, Haber was appointed a consultant to the German War Office and had a decisive role in developing poison gas as a weapon of war. After the end of the conflict, the chemist once again showed his patriotism by trying to help Germany overcome its enormous war debt. To do so he began an unsuccessful attempt to extract gold from seawater.

At the height of his career, Haber was awarded the 1918 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the synthesis of ammonia from its elements.” He left an important legacy of perfecting the Haber process, which combines nitrogen and hydrogen under pressure using iron as a catalyst to produce ammonia. This process can be used to produce fertilizers or explosives. Haber’s most productive period coincided with the peak of the Institute for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry after World War I. Unfortunately Hitler’s rise to power put an end to this growth, since Haber, as well as some of his colleagues, was Jewish. For the German authorities, the devotion that he had given to his country now meant little.

After leaving the Institute in 1933, he went to Cambridge in England but did not stay long, fearing the wet weather’s effect on his heart condition. Haber died on January 29, 1934, in Basel, Switzerland.