Friedrich Kekulé Friedrich August Kekulé von Stradonitz (Darmstadt, September 7, 1829 - Bonn, July 13, 1896) was a German chemist. He is famous for his discovery of the benzene ring. biography
August Kekulé was born in Darmstadt in the Grand Duchy of Hesse and originated from an ancient Bohemian noble family. His father Ludwig Carl Emil Kekulé was advisor to the Grand Duke.
In 1849 Kekulé began his studies in natural sciences. In 1856 he became a lecturer and then he was a professor in Ghent from 1858 to 1865 and in Bonn. In 1885 he received the Copley Medal. His interest was especially focused on hydrocarbons and benzene in particular. For the structure of benzene he developed the ring structure theory and valencies. In 1857 Kekulé stated that carbon tetravalent is either 4-worthy. He claimed that his discovery of the benzene ring was due to a dream in which he saw a snake in his own tail.
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