Friedrich August Kekulé was a German chemist born on September 7, 1829. He is best known for his work on the structure of organic compounds, particularly his proposal of the ring structure of benzene. This groundbreaking idea helped to advance the field of organic chemistry and provided a clearer understanding of molecular structures. Kekulé's contributions extended beyond benzene; he also developed theories about the structure of other organic compounds. His work laid the foundation for modern organic chemistry, influencing many future chemists. He passed away on July 13, 1896, leaving a lasting legacy in the scientific community.