![Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/jacobus-henricus-van-t-hoff-1.jpg)
Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff was a Dutch physical chemist best remembered for winning the first Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Van 't Hoff's work helped found the modern theory of chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, and chemical affinity. A highly popular theoretical chemist, Van 't Hoff is also counted among the founders of physical chemistry.