Lavoisier's Work in the Foundation of the Metric System

Abstract

SINCE the publication of the article on the Metric System, in NATURE, vol. viii. p. 386, my attention has been drawn to some recent information showing the important part taken by the celebrated Lavoisier in the scientific operations for establishing the basis of the metric system of weights and measures in France. Lavoisier's name has hitherto been little noticed amongst those of the men of science who were prominently engaged in this work; but it is now clearly proved that up to the period of his being guillotined on May 8, 1794, when he fell a victim to the revolutionary fury during the reign of terror, no one took a more active or serviceable part in the scientific labours for founding the Metric System than Lavoisier.