Charles Lenormant
Encyclopedia
Charles Lenormant was a French
archaeologist.
After pursuing his studies at the Lycée Charlemagne and the Lycée Napoléon, he took up law
, but a visit to Italy
and Sicily
(1822–23) made him an enthusiastic archaeologist. In 1825 he was named sub-inspector of fine arts and a few months later married Amelia Syvoct, niece and adopted daughter of the celebrated Mme Récamier. He visited Italy, Belgium
, and the Netherlands
, and accompanied Champollion to Egypt
, where he devoted himself to the study of architectural
works.
Later he travelled through Greece
as assistant director of the archaeological department of the Morea
scientific commission. On his return he was appointed curator of the works of art in the Royal Library. Although the chair was that of modern history, he lecture
d chiefly on ancient history, particularly the origins of Greek civilization. In 1836 he was appointed curator of printed books in the Royal Library, and in 1839 was elected a member of the Academy. In 1840 he was made curator of the Cabinet of Medals.
François Guizot
, who became minister of foreign affairs in 1841, sent Lenormant on a mission to Greece. On returning from this second visit to the East, Lenormant continued his lectures at the Sorbonne
, making a particular study of Christian
civilization in its sources. This study made him a true Christian, and from that time his lectures bore the impression of his deep Catholic belief. He gave voice to his convictions in his Questions historiques (Paris 1845), in his work on the Associations religieuses dans la société chrétienne (Paris 1866), and in many articles in the French Catholic review Correspondant. His writings greatly influenced the much-discussed question of freedom of teaching (liberté d'enseignement).
In 1846, the students of the Sorbonne, in retaliation for his part in the suppression of Edgar Quinet
's chair, compelled Lenormant to give up his professorship; he was then given the editorship of the Correspondent, which be resigned in 1855. In 1848 he was named director of the commission of historical monuments, and in 1849 an almost unanimous vote of the members of the Academy appointed him to the chair of archaeology in the Collège de France
. From that time he devoted himself entirely to the teaching of Egyptian archaeology. He died while on an expedition undertaken for the sake of initiating his son into the knowledge of the monuments of antiquity. His grave is on the Colonus
hilltop in Athens next to that of Karl Otfried Müller
.
along with two valuable collections:
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
archaeologist.
After pursuing his studies at the Lycée Charlemagne and the Lycée Napoléon, he took up law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, but a visit to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
(1822–23) made him an enthusiastic archaeologist. In 1825 he was named sub-inspector of fine arts and a few months later married Amelia Syvoct, niece and adopted daughter of the celebrated Mme Récamier. He visited Italy, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and accompanied Champollion to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, where he devoted himself to the study of architectural
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
works.
Later he travelled through Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
as assistant director of the archaeological department of the Morea
Morea
The Morea was the name of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. It also referred to a Byzantine province in the region, known as the Despotate of Morea.-Origins of the name:...
scientific commission. On his return he was appointed curator of the works of art in the Royal Library. Although the chair was that of modern history, he lecture
Lecture
thumb|A lecture on [[linear algebra]] at the [[Helsinki University of Technology]]A lecture is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, for example by a university or college teacher. Lectures are used to convey critical information, history,...
d chiefly on ancient history, particularly the origins of Greek civilization. In 1836 he was appointed curator of printed books in the Royal Library, and in 1839 was elected a member of the Academy. In 1840 he was made curator of the Cabinet of Medals.
François Guizot
François Guizot
François Pierre Guillaume Guizot was a French historian, orator, and statesman. Guizot was a dominant figure in French politics prior to the Revolution of 1848, a conservative liberal who opposed the attempt by King Charles X to usurp legislative power, and worked to sustain a constitutional...
, who became minister of foreign affairs in 1841, sent Lenormant on a mission to Greece. On returning from this second visit to the East, Lenormant continued his lectures at the Sorbonne
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
, making a particular study of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
civilization in its sources. This study made him a true Christian, and from that time his lectures bore the impression of his deep Catholic belief. He gave voice to his convictions in his Questions historiques (Paris 1845), in his work on the Associations religieuses dans la société chrétienne (Paris 1866), and in many articles in the French Catholic review Correspondant. His writings greatly influenced the much-discussed question of freedom of teaching (liberté d'enseignement).
In 1846, the students of the Sorbonne, in retaliation for his part in the suppression of Edgar Quinet
Edgar Quinet
Edgar Quinet was a French historian and intellectual.-Early years:Born at Bourg-en-Bresse, in the département of Ain. His father, Jérôme Quinet, had been a commissary in the army, but being a strong republican and disgusted with Napoleon's 18 Brumaire coup, he gave up his post and devoted himself...
's chair, compelled Lenormant to give up his professorship; he was then given the editorship of the Correspondent, which be resigned in 1855. In 1848 he was named director of the commission of historical monuments, and in 1849 an almost unanimous vote of the members of the Academy appointed him to the chair of archaeology in the Collège de France
Collège de France
The Collège de France is a higher education and research establishment located in Paris, France, in the 5th arrondissement, or Latin Quarter, across the street from the historical campus of La Sorbonne at the intersection of Rue Saint-Jacques and Rue des Écoles...
. From that time he devoted himself entirely to the teaching of Egyptian archaeology. He died while on an expedition undertaken for the sake of initiating his son into the knowledge of the monuments of antiquity. His grave is on the Colonus
Colonus
In classical Greece Hippeios Colonus was a deme about to the northwest of Athens, near Plato's Academy. There is also the Agoraios Kolonos , a hillock by the Athens Agora on which the temple of Hephaestus still stands.Hippeios Colonus held a temple of Poseidon and a sacred grove to the...
hilltop in Athens next to that of Karl Otfried Müller
Karl Otfried Müller
Karl Otfried Müller , was a German scholar and Philodorian, or admirer of ancient Sparta, who introduced the modern study of Greek mythology.-Biography:...
.
Published works
Many articles from the pen of Lenormant appeared in the Annales de l'Institut archéologique de Rome, the Mémoires de l'Académie des Inscriptions, the Revue de Numismatique, and the Correspondant. His chief independently published works are:- Les Artistes contemporains (Paris, 1833, 2 vols.)
- Introduction à l'histoire de l'Asie occidentale (Paris, 1838)
- Musée des Antiquités égyptiennes (Paris, 1842)
- Questions historiques (Paris, 1845)
along with two valuable collections:
- Trésor de numismatique et de glyptique (Paris, 1834—50) (in collaboration with Paul Delaroche and Henriquel Dupont)
- Élite des monuments céramographiques (1844—58) (with De Witte).