The Image of Women in Science: Marie Lavoisier and Discovery of Oxygen
DUAN Qing-Gang1**, DUAN Shu-Min2
1. College of Marxism, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; 2. Jiangjunmu Middle School, Xindu District, Xingtai City, Xingtai 054000, China
Abstract Lavoisier is known as the “Father of Modern Chemistry” and is well-known in history. Marie, as his wife and important assistant, was limited by gender discrimination and identity positioning and failed to be recognized in the history of science. Marie participated in the design of Lavoisier's laboratory, contributed drawings of all experimental instruments and equipment models, comprehensively and thoroughly recorded the experimental process and experimental data, translated and commented on Cowan's On Phlogiston, all of which laid the foundation for Lavoisier to discover oxygen and form the “oxygen theory”. At the same time, Marie used her outstanding ability of social activities to build a scientific network for Lavoisier, ensuring his close contact with European colleagues and enabling him to keep abreast of the latest developments in chemistry. She also invited scientists to visit Lavoisier's laboratory and watch the experimental process, and used the constructed scientific network to spare no effort to promote and spread Lavoisier's “oxygen theory”. Therefore, it is necessary to re-recognize Marie's important contribution to the discovery of oxygen and the spread of the “oxygen theory”.
DUAN Qing-Gang, DUAN Shu-Min. The Image of Women in Science: Marie Lavoisier and Discovery of Oxygen[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2025, 46(5): 125-129.
