Carl Wilhelm Scheele

Scheele, Carl Wilhelm (1742–86), Swedish pharmacist and chemist. He was the discoverer of chlorine and isolated oxygen, although credit went to English scientist Joseph Priestley, who published findings before Scheele. He also isolated many acids, and made significant discoveries regarding nitrogen and manganese, conducting his experiments in the restricted environment of the apothecaries where he was employed.

See also: Chemistry; Chlorine.