Wilhelm Friedrich Ostwald(German:[ˈvɪlhɛlmˈɔstˌvalt]ⓘ; 2 September [O.S.21 August] 1853 – 4 April 1932) was a Baltic Germanchemistandphilosopher. Ostwald is credited with being one of the founders of the field ofphysical chemistry, withJacobus Henricus van 't Hoff,Walther NernstandSvante Arrhenius.He received theNobel Prize in Chemistryin 1909 for his scientific contributions to the fields ofcatalysis,chemical equilibriaandreaction velocities. Following his 1906 retirement from academic life, Ostwald became much involved in philosophy, art, and politics. He made significant contributions to each of these fields.He has been described as apolymath. Fields: Chemistry