Elizabeth Fulhame

Elizabeth Fulhame (active in the late 18th century; exact birth and death dates unknown) was a Scottish chemist who made pioneering contributions to the study of catalysis and redox reactions. In her book An Essay on Combustion (1794), she introduced innovative ideas about the role of water in chemical reactions and demonstrated that certain substances can facilitate reactions without being consumed, anticipating the modern concept of a catalyst. Her experiments included the chemical reduction of metals onto fabrics, with practical applications in dyeing and coating. Her work was ahead of its time and laid important foundations for the later development of modern chemistry.