Mohamed Ben Ali El-Jabri

Algerian chemist who modernized North African scientific education during French colonial rule.

Mohamed El-Jabri: Algeria's Scientific Visionary

Mohamed Ben Ali El-Jabri (1825-1892) was a visionary chemist and educator who significantly advanced scientific education in Algeria during the 19th century. Born in Tlemcen, he studied chemistry in Paris before returning to Algeria to establish the first chemical laboratory at the École des Arts et Métiers in Algiers (1858). His work bridged European scientific advancements with local needs, developing chemical processes for preserving agricultural products vital to Algeria's economy.

El-Jabri's most notable contribution was founding the Journal de Chimie Algérienne (1863-1870), the first scientific journal published in Algeria. He also advocated for Arabic-language science education, authoring textbooks that combined traditional knowledge with modern chemistry. His research on olive oil preservation techniques became foundational for North African agricultural practices.

Despite facing colonial restrictions, El-Jabri's legacy lives on through the Mohamed El-Jabri Chemistry Prize awarded annually in Algeria. Explore his work via Algerian National Library archives or Chemical Heritage Foundation resources.