In the Age of Enlightment he helped science, particularly chemistry and pharmacy, in diverse ways to its break-through. As an acknowledged member of the developing chemistry scientist community he was one of the co-founders of the new, scientifically founded pharmacy at the end of the 18th century.

Johann Christian Wiegleb was born on 21.12.1732 in the saxonian departmental city of Langensalza as a son of a lawyer. In Dresden he became a druggist after six years of training. In 1755 he returned to Langensalza and opened his own pharmacy in 1759. Because of illness and increasing weakness he had to give up business management of his pharmacy in 1796.

Next to his activity as druggists Wiegleb began with chemical experiments and developed theories by himself. Under the influence and support of physician Ernst Gottfried Baldinger who worked for some years in Langensalza, Wiegleb published his first chemical treatise on the theory of the „Acidum pinguis„ in 1767. A great number of further works followed such as monographs and journal themes which were printed in the first chemical-technical journal  „Chemical Journal" published by Lorenz Crell. His historical writing „Historical-critical investigation of the alchemy“ was the most important and most influential contribution in that time against alchemy and for chemistry as a science. Wieglebs exceptional and extensive activity as an author, editor and translator prove his profound knowledge of chemistry, languages, literature and history. His general recognition as chemist led to the acception in the Imperial German academy of natural researchers (Leopoldina) and the "Kurmainzische Academy of sciences for the common good“ in Erfurt in 1776.

Wiegleb founded the first private chemical teaching-institution for the scientific training of druggists in 1779. More than 40 young druggists and academics from German and European countries received instruction by him particularly in chemistry. With the „Handbook of General Chemistry" written by him arose a textbook of great importance, as well to following generations.

Two of his pupils, the later professor for chemistry and technology at the newly founded University of Berlin, Sigismund Friedrich Hermbstaedt (1760-1833) and the druggist, chemist and professor for chemistry at the University of Jena, Johann Friedrich August Göttling (1753- 1809) also founded chemical-pharmaceutical teaching-institutions based on Wieglebs model. Together with Dr. Johann Christian Traugott Schlegel from Langensalza Wiegleb published the second revised edition of the „Deutsches Apothekerbuch" (German druggists book) in 1793 which was published in several editions and became the standard literature for druggists. Because of his excellent chemical and scientific knowledge and his personal qualities he was appreciated in his home town and chosen into the city council. From 1770 up to the end of his life he was active in different fields, since 1783 as treasurer for the city and their citizens.

Wiegleb married Rebecca Christina Reisig the daughter of a druggist in 1758. From their seven children only two daughters survived the father. Wiegleb died on 16th January 1800 in Langensalza. He was bodily strongly restricted since 1789 because of an accident in the laboratory. The new exhibition in the city museum describes and acknowledges his contribution to the evolution of the pharmacy and chemistry as sciences.

In front of his residential building in Marktstrasse 7, which still exists, reminds a sign by the artist Harald Stieding from Bad Langensalza of the deserving son of the city.