Antonio de Gregorio Rocasolano (April 11, 18731-April 25, 1941), was a Spanish chemist to whose memory the CSIC dedicated one of its research institutes at its Serrano Campus. He was born and died in Zaragoza, where he also developed all his teaching and scientific activity, and was first founder of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
He graduated in chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences in 1892, receiving his doctorate in 1897 in the Physics and Chemistry Section of the Central de Madrid. He was awarded a scholarship by the JAE to study microbiology in Paris, and received his doctorate from the University of Madrid in 1887, being immediately appointed assistant professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Zaragoza. In 1902 he obtained the chair of general chemistry at the University of Barcelona, which he exchanged for that of Zaragoza the following year. He founded with other scientists of the time the Academy of Physical, Chemical and Natural Sciences of Zaragoza, of which he would be president during 1922-1932. He also created at the University of Zaragoza, where he became vice-rector in 1921 and rector in 1929, the Biochemical Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Sciences, which Albert Einstein himself visited.
A man of deep religious convictions, his intellectual production includes research related to agriculture and plant nitrogen nutrition, as well as kinetics and catalysis of colloids and Brownian motion. He is also noted for his close relationships with leading international scientists. His various works include "Chemical-Physical Studies on Living Matter" (2nd edition, 1917) and "Biochemical Contributions to the Agricultural Nitrogen Problem" (three volumes, 1933-1939).
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
