The correct answer is option 'D': Dalton.

John Dalton, an English chemist, was the first to use symbols to represent elements. He proposed the atomic theory in the early 19th century, which revolutionized the field of chemistry. Dalton's atomic theory stated that all matter is made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms, and that each element is made up of atoms with unique properties.

Dalton's Symbols:
To represent different elements, Dalton assigned symbols consisting of one or two letters. These symbols were derived from the English or Latin names of the elements. For example:
- H for hydrogen
- O for oxygen
- C for carbon
- N for nitrogen
- Fe for iron (from the Latin word "ferrum")

Importance of Dalton's Symbols:
Dalton's use of symbols for elements was a significant advancement in chemistry. It allowed scientists to communicate and represent different elements in a concise and standardized manner. These symbols became the foundation for the modern periodic table, which is a tabular arrangement of elements based on their atomic numbers and chemical properties.

Development of the Periodic Table:
After Dalton's initial use of symbols, other chemists such as Jöns Jacob Berzelius and Antoine Laurent Lavoisier made further contributions to the development of the periodic table. Berzelius introduced the concept of chemical formulas and discovered several elements, while Lavoisier is considered the "Father of Modern Chemistry" and made significant contributions to the understanding of chemical reactions.

However, it was Dmitri Mendeleev who is credited with the creation of the modern periodic table in 1869. Mendeleev arranged the elements in order of increasing atomic weight and noticed periodic trends in their properties. He left gaps in the table for undiscovered elements and predicted their properties based on the patterns he observed.

Conclusion:
While other chemists made important contributions to the development of chemistry and the periodic table, John Dalton was the first to use symbols to represent elements. His use of symbols provided a standardized system for representing elements and laid the groundwork for the modern periodic table.