Heinrich Emanuel Merck (September 15, 1794 - February 14, 1855) was an apothecary who was a direct descendant of company founder Friedrich Jacob Merck, who had purchased the Engel-Apotheke (Angel Pharmacy) in Darmstadt in 1668. Merck studied in Berlin and Vienna studying pharmacy. He then worked at his father's Engel-Apotheke. In 1816 he took over management. In addition to this he was occupied with research on the chemical constitution of herbal natural material. He isolated alkaloids and prepared them in a pure state. In 1827, Merck sold all the known alkaloids to other pharmacists, chemists and physicians. From 1838 until 1841 he ran a candle factory and became a member of the town council of Darmstadt in 1828. As a court consultant he was working on the homicide case of the Mistress of G繹rlitz in 1850. At the time of his death, 20-50 workers were employed at his chemical-pharmaceutical factory. His three sons took over his business.