Henrik Alfred Wahlforss (1839–28 March 1899) was a Finnish chemist and professor. Wahlforss lectured in Polytechnical institute in Helsinki. His scientific achievements were related to his publishings about retene, para-bromobenzyl chloride and the oxidation of castor oil. As Wahlforss's publications were written in Swedish language, they remained internationally without attention. Wahlforss's research career was influenced by his alcoholism. A heart attack ended his career, after which he spent his last years paralysed. Alfred Wahlforss was married twice. The first spouse remains unknown. The second wife was Emilia Elisabeth Långhjelm, with whom he had two daughters and two sons. The older son Wilhelm became later a corporate director and Eric became a paper mill manager. Early years and studies Alfred Wahlforss was born in 1839 in Kristinestad, Grand Duchy of Finland. His parents were Eric Wahlforss and Susanna Maria née Holmudd. Alfred was the second oldest of nine children. He went to school in Vaasa, where he did his matriculation exam at age of 18. At age of 12, he earned a medal by saving his friend from drowning. Wahlforss went on to study chemistry in Helsinki and completed his Bachelor's degree four years after. Talented Wahlforss received a scholarship and studied the three following years in Zürich, Hanover and Göttingen, where he earned his Master's degree. Career Upon his return, Wahlforss was appointed teacher of practical chemistry and laboratorian at Helsinki Technical College. He had started to research retene already his time in Göttingen and presented his study in 1867. Despite having just Master's degree, Wahlforss received a docentship and a scholarship to continue his research. During 1868–1869 he worked for Friedrich Konrad Beilstein in St. Petersburg, and in 1870 he presented another study "Om bromtoluolklorid". The latter study was especially significant and it became Wahlforss's doctorate thesis, but as it was published in Swedish language, it remained with small attention. A similar study was published in United States for 12 years later, and another one in Germany at the turn of the century by researchers Wilhelm Wislicenus and Rudolf Grützner. It is notable, that Beilstein does not mention Wahlforss's work in his famous book Handbuch der organischen Chemie, although must have been aware of it. Wahlforss applied for professorship in chemistry in the Imperial Alexander University in Helsinki, but withdrew his application. A potential reason for this was his alcoholism. Possibly Wahlforss's grant applications for travelling were repeatedly rejected