Joseph-François Charpentier de Cossigny
Encyclopedia
Joseph-François Charpentier de Cossigny (1736-1809, also known as Joseph-François Charpentier de Cossigny de Palma or Cossigny de Palma) was born in Port Louis
the son of Jean-François Charpentier de Cossigny an engineer of the French East India Company
. He was also the cousin of David Charpentier de Cossigny
, who was Governor of India, Governor of Bourbon
and Governor Mascarene. In 1773, while on a visit to Paris as a scholar and politician, he had asked the Colonial Secretary the right to establish a Chamber of Agriculture on the Isle de France (Mauritius). The request was rejected, being considered a Cossigny "agitator" by the authorities, and the establishment of a representative body seen as an interference with the direct authority of the ministry.
Cossigny de Palma moved to Mauritius where he founded a colony called Palma
, and created several acclimatisation gardens for imported fruit species. He is known for introducing the lychee
to the islands of Bourbon
and Ile de France
in 1764 after several trips to China and the East. He was an early member of the Institut de France
in 1795.
Port Louis
-Economy:The economy is dominated by its port, which handles Mauritius' international trade. The port was founded by the French who preferred Port Louis as the City is shielded by the Port Louis/Moka mountain range. It is the largest container handling facility in the Indian Ocean and can...
the son of Jean-François Charpentier de Cossigny an engineer of the French East India Company
French East India Company
The French East India Company was a commercial enterprise, founded in 1664 to compete with the British and Dutch East India companies in colonial India....
. He was also the cousin of David Charpentier de Cossigny
David Charpentier de Cossigny
David Charpentier de Cossigny was Governor General of Pondicherry, Réunion and Mauritius.-Birth & death:David Charpentier de Cossigny was born in Gaillac in the Tarn on 9 February 1740. He is member of a famous family of the île de France that includes scientists and soldiers. He died in...
, who was Governor of India, Governor of Bourbon
Réunion
Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France...
and Governor Mascarene. In 1773, while on a visit to Paris as a scholar and politician, he had asked the Colonial Secretary the right to establish a Chamber of Agriculture on the Isle de France (Mauritius). The request was rejected, being considered a Cossigny "agitator" by the authorities, and the establishment of a representative body seen as an interference with the direct authority of the ministry.
Cossigny de Palma moved to Mauritius where he founded a colony called Palma
Palma
Palma, La Palma, Palmas, or Las Palmas may refer to:- Africa :* Palma, Mozambique, city* La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, Spain* Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, city and capital of Canary Islands, Spain...
, and created several acclimatisation gardens for imported fruit species. He is known for introducing the lychee
Lychee
The lychee is the sole member of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. It is a tropical and subtropical fruit tree native to Southern China and Southeast Asia, and now cultivated in many parts of the world...
to the islands of Bourbon
Réunion
Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France...
and Ile de France
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
in 1764 after several trips to China and the East. He was an early member of the Institut de France
Institut de France
The Institut de France is a French learned society, grouping five académies, the most famous of which is the Académie française.The institute, located in Paris, manages approximately 1,000 foundations, as well as museums and chateaux open for visit. It also awards prizes and subsidies, which...
in 1795.
See also
- List of gardener-botanist explorers of the Enlightenment
- European and American voyages of scientific explorationEuropean and American voyages of scientific explorationThe era of European and American voyages of scientific exploration followed the Age of Discovery and were inspired by a new confidence in science and reason that arose in the Age of Enlightenment...