Orfila

Orfila, MATHIEU JOSEPH BONAVENTURE, founder of the science of toxicology, was born at Mahon in Minorca, 24th April 1787, and studied at Valencia, Barcelona, and Paris (whither he was sent by the junta of his province). In October 1811 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and immediately commenced a private course of lectures on chemistry, botany, and anatomy, which was largely attended, and, along with his successful practice, soon rendered him famous. In 1813 appeared the first edition of his celebrated work on poisons, entitled Traité de Toxicologie Générale (Paris). In 1819 he was created a citizen of France, and became professor of Jurisprudence; and in 1823 he was transferred to the chair of Chemistry, to which in 1831 was added the deanship of the faculty. On the outbreak of the revolution of 1848 he was deprived of his place in the medical faculty on account of his conservative opinions, but retained his professorship. He died at Paris, March 12, 1853. Other works were on medical chemistry (1817) and on forensic medicine (1825). He also contributed largely to various journals, dictionaries, and encyclopædias.