Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber)

Known for

Early experimental chemistry: distillation, crystallization and the classification of substances

Biography

Alchemist traditionally linked to the Abbasid court and to Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq. A large body of Arabic writings (the 'Jabirian corpus') carries his name; many historians think much of it was written by later authors in the 9th–10th centuries.

Contributions

• Stressed systematic experiment in alchemy and chemistry
• Described laboratory processes such as distillation, crystallization, calcination and sublimation
• Classified substances into spirits, metals and non-malleable bodies
• Latin writings under the name 'Geber' shaped medieval European alchemy

Major works

• Kitab al-Sab'in (The Seventy Books)
• Kitab al-Mizan (Book of Balances)