Nicasius le Febure, a.k.a. Nicolas le Febure or Nicasius le Fevre or Nicolas le Fèvre (1615 – 1669), was a French chemist and alchemist who was appointed to positions by both French and English royalty.

Early life

Le Febure was born and educated in Sedan, going to the Academy there.

Work

Vallot, first physician to Louis XIV, appointed him demonstrator of chemistry at the Jardin du Roi, Paris; Diarist John Evelyn is recorded as having attended a course of his lectures there in February 1647. In 1660 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry to Charles II of England in 1660, Apothecary in Ordinary to the Royal Family in 1660 and Manager of the laboratory at St James's Palace, London.

Personal life

It is believed he became a naturalised English citizen in 1662. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) on 20 May 1663.

Death

Febure died in the Parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, in the spring of 1669. There exists an engraved portrait of him.

Works

Le Fevre was an able chemist and a lucid, learned, and accurate author. He wrote: