About Ernst Späth
Lived 1886 – 1946 (aged 60). Ernst Späth was an Austrian chemist and university teacher, known for Mescaline.
Ernst Späth (; 14 May 1886 in Moravský Beroun – 30 September 1946 in Zurich) was an Austrian chemist, specializing in natural products.
Life Späth was the first to synthesise mescaline and was one of the first to synthesize cuscohygrine on a small scale with Hans Tuppy.
He lost everything in World War II, and died with no money. His former student Percy Lavon Julian returned to Vienna, paid for his funeral, and commissioned a bust of Späth, which is still displayed in the foyer of the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Vienna. A second cast of the bust was erected in 1961 in the Arkadenhof of the University of Vienna.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Ernst Späth?
Austrian chemist (1886–1946)
When was Ernst Späth born?
Ernst Späth was born on 14 May 1886 in Moravský Beroun.
When did Ernst Späth die?
Ernst Späth died on 30 September 1946 in Zurich.
What was Ernst Späth's occupation?
Ernst Späth was a chemist and university teacher.
What was Ernst Späth known for?
Ernst Späth was known for Mescaline.
What nationality was Ernst Späth?
Ernst Späth was Austrian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ernst Späth. https://biography.guide/ernst-spath/
MLA: "Ernst Späth." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ernst-spath/.
Chicago: "Ernst Späth." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ernst-spath/.
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