Christopher Merret

English physician and scientist

Christopher Merret (16 February 1614 – 19 August 1695) was an English physician and scientist who is best known for his pioneering work in the field of glassmaking and his contributions to the early development of sparkling wine.

Early Life and Education

Christopher Merret was born in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England. He was educated at Gloucester and later attended Oxford University, where he studied medicine. Merret graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1635 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1643. His education at Oxford laid the foundation for his future contributions to both medicine and the natural sciences.

Career and Contributions

Medicine

Merret began his career as a physician, practicing in London. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1651. His medical practice was well-regarded, and he contributed to the field through various publications and lectures.

Natural History

Error creating thumbnail:

Title page of Merret's work on natural history

In addition to his medical work, Merret had a keen interest in natural history. He published "Pinax Rerum Naturalium Britannicarum" in 1667, a comprehensive catalogue of the natural history of Britain. This work was one of the first attempts to systematically categorize the flora and fauna of the British Isles.

Glassmaking

Merret is perhaps best known for his work in glassmaking. He wrote extensively on the subject, detailing the processes involved in the production of glass. His writings helped to advance the understanding of glassmaking techniques in England during the 17th century.

Sparkling Wine

One of Merret's most notable contributions was his early documentation of the process of making sparkling wine. In 1662, he presented a paper to the Royal Society describing how adding sugar and molasses to wine could produce a secondary fermentation, resulting in sparkling wine. This process is now known as the "méthode champenoise" and is fundamental to the production of Champagne.

Legacy

Portrait of Christopher Merret

Christopher Merret's work laid important groundwork in both the scientific and culinary fields. His contributions to the understanding of glassmaking and sparkling wine production have had a lasting impact. Merret's interdisciplinary approach, combining medicine, natural history, and chemistry, exemplifies the spirit of scientific inquiry during the Scientific Revolution.

Related Pages

• Royal Society
• Méthode champenoise
• Glassmaking
• Natural history