Gustav Theodor Fechner (19.04.1801 —18.02.1887) was a German physicist, philosopher and physiologist. He was born in Gross Särchen. He graduated from the University of Leipzig (1823), where he worked (in 1834-39 as professor of physics, in 1839 — 43 he did no scientific work because of a serious eye disease, and after his recovery he was professor of philosophy, anthropology and physiology).
His physical research concerned electricity, electrochemistry and optics. In 1831 he confirmed Ohm's law and proposed methods of comparing the e.m.f. of different cells. He put forward (1845) the idea that a conduction current is carried by the motion of discrete charges, the velocity of this motion and that of the propagation of the electric pulse being different. He studied colours. In the work “The Theory of Atoms” he set out his views on atomism. He was a supporter of the wave theory. He was one of the founders of psychophysics and experimental physiology. He is known for the Weber — Fechner psychophysical law (1858).