1682-1719

German alchemist and the ceramist of Augustus the Strong, King of Poland. As the first European to discover the secret of Chinese porcelain, Böttger is credited with the invention of European hard white porcelain, which has a higher kaolin content than the Asian type. His discovery led to the establishment of the first royal porcelain factory in Europe at Meissen near Dresden, Germany. Böttger died from alcoholism.