Enrique Herrero Ducloux VICTOR ARREGUINE

Unioersity of Cordobo, Cordoba, R. A. (Ediled by Ralph E. Oesfier, University o j Cincinnetil

NRIQUE Herrero Ducloux, one of the outstanding E . chem~sts of the Argentine Republic, was born a t Navarra, Spain, in 1877. At the age of five he was brought to his adopted country, whke he has done all of his work as a chemist and teacher. He may be con- sidered as a model of a self-made man; he began as a simple school teacher and by dint of his efforts and abilities rose to his present eminent position.

His teaching career has extended over more than 50 years; primary, secondary, and university in- struction in turn have occupied his exceptional talents. His life bas been devoted primarily to the development of men of science, and the professional successes of his students are convincing evidence of his pedagogic - - -

skill. He was the first recipient of the degree of "Doctor

of Chemistry" conferred by an Argentine university. He has taught a t various colleges, and a t the univer- sities of La Plata and Buenos Aires. As dean, a t La Plata, he organized the first faculty of chemistry and pharmacy in the Argentine.

Herrero Ducloux has published more than 200 papers. In chemistry the main classifications are: analytical, mineralogical, agricultural, vegetable. Hydrology has also occupied his serious attention. He has carefully studied the composition of the mineral waters of the entire country, the coastal oceanic waters, and the thermal sources of the hot springs. Especially im- portant are his more than 20 papers on meteorites. He has isolated the active principles of such indigenous plants as Ximenia americana, Iodine rombifolia, Li#pia hastulatu, Gymnocalycium gibbosum, Trichocereus, etc. His publications in agricultural chemistry include im- portant papers oh the chlorophyllic function, the

nitrogen cycle in plants, etc. Among his books are "Disertaciones Qu5micas" and "Les Estudios Quimicos en la Republica Argentina."

In addition to his accomplishments as teacher, laboratory worker, and administrator, Herrero Ducloux has to his credit philosophical publications on a wide variety of topics. These exhibit the extraordinary width and depth of his culture and experience. An excellent example of his brilliant lectures is "A drop of water"; among his admirable biographical studies those of Joaquin Gonzalez and Pedro Arata' are worthy of special mention. He has published a remarkable trilogy of books: "Traumer's Visions," "The Alchemy of a Thousand and One Nights," "Professor Skmppel- mann's Opinions." His most recent volume in this same style, leading to serious thought on important problems, is "Job's Friend."

His recognized integrity and ability have gained for him the complete confidence of the government; he has become "The Illustrious Counselor of the State." At various times he has been technical adviser to the general staff of the army, also to the Ministry of the Treasury; he has served as a member of the national councils on climatology, mineral springs, unhealthful industries, etc.

Distinctions have come to him in deserved abun- dance: honorary doctorates [San Marcos (Lima, Peru), La Plata, Buenos Aires]; membership in numerous academies of science (Cordoba, La Plata, Madrid, Toulouse, Barcelona, National Academy of the Ar- gentine); honorary meabership in scientific societies (Mexican, Argentine, Brazilian, etc.).

Cf. A ~ n n ~ c u r ~ ~ , THIS JOURNAL, 20, 475 (1943)

Enrique Herrero Ducloux, 1877- (See page 419)