Alfred Stock was an experimentalist who made significant contributions to chemistry and designed several important chemical instruments. He worked on the creation of new boron and silicon compounds and the development of the chemical high-vacuum apparatus , which allowed him to work with volatile materials. The latter part of his life was particularly devoted to the study of mercury and mercury poisoning and, in particular, developing precautionary guidelines for other scientists to follow in order to avoid suffering from it. Stock contracted mercury poisoning while working with the substance in laboratories since his time in school; he was afflicted with the disease the rest of his life.

Stock was born in Danzig, West Prussia (now Gdansk, Poland) on July 16, 1876. His father was a banking executive. As a schoolboy, Stock developed an early interest in science, and he earned scholarships that allowed him to pursue a degree in chemistry at...