Louis Cordier
Encyclopedia
Pierre Louis Antoine Cordier (31 March 1777 – 30 March 1861) was a French geologist
and mineralogist, and a founder of the French Geological Society. He was professor of geology at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
in Paris from 1819 to 1861, and was responsible for the development of the geological gallery in the museum.
in 1777 to a family of English origin. In 1817 he married Melle Borgella, a niece and pupil of Louis Ramond de Carbonnières
. Together they had four sons and six daughters.
(1763–1829), René Just Haüy
(1743–1822) and Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu
(1750–1801).
He gained his "diplôme d’ingénieur" in 1797 and followed Dolomieu first on an expedition to the Alps
, then as a scientist on Napoleon
's expedition to Egypt
from 1798 to 1799. Arriving in Alexandria
, Cordier immediately began his researches into the country's mineralogy and geology, with particular focus on the formation of the Nile
valley. On Dolomieu's taking ill, both of them attempted to return to France. Although Cordier was taken prisoner in Taranto
, subsequently being transferred to Messina in Sicily
, he was freed after three months in captivity as a result of Dolmieu's intervention and returned to France. In 1802 he published Mémoire sur le mercure argental, and in 1808 Description du dichtoïte, which revealed his deep interest in mineralogy. Cordier rose to the position of "ingénieur en chef" in 1809 and in 1816 he published his account of basalt
: Sur les substances minérales dites en masse, qui servent de base aux roches volcaniques.
In 1822 he was elected to the French Académie des sciences. In 1830 he was appointed "maître des requêtes" in the Conseil d'État. In the same year he participitated in the foundation of the French Geological Society (the Société géologique de France
). In 1832 he became inspector-general of mines in the south-west of France and in 1837, "conseiller d'État". He was made Commander of the Légion d'honneur
in 1837, then Grand Officer in 1859; In 1839 he was elevated to the French peerage.
in 1819, when he succeeded Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond
(1741–1819) to the chair of geology. Cordier held this position until his death in 1861.
He was appointed director of the museum three times (from 1824 to 1825, from 1832 to 1833, and from 1838 to 1839) and was responsible for the creation of the "Galerie de géologie" in the museum. During his stewardship the collection grew from 1,500 specimens in 1819 to 200,000 in 1861, the year of his death in Paris. He made 51 geological journeys during his life, collecting specimens from within France (the Pyrenees, Languedoc, Maine, the Ardennes, the Vosges, Saxony and the Auvergne) as well as Tuscany, Liguria and the Alps. Many of the rocks that formed part of the museum's collection were sent to him from various continents by colleagues and friends. By 1844 Cordier had classified 337 types of rock.
, a magnesium iron aluminium cyclosilicate known as "iolite" in gemology
, is named after him.
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
and mineralogist, and a founder of the French Geological Society. He was professor of geology at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle is the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France.- History :The museum was formally founded on 10 June 1793, during the French Revolution...
in Paris from 1819 to 1861, and was responsible for the development of the geological gallery in the museum.
Family
Cordier was born in AbbevilleAbbeville
Abbeville is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Location:Abbeville is located on the Somme River, from its modern mouth in the English Channel, and northwest of Amiens...
in 1777 to a family of English origin. In 1817 he married Melle Borgella, a niece and pupil of Louis Ramond de Carbonnières
Louis Ramond de Carbonnières
Louis François Élisabeth Ramond, baron de Carbonnières , was a French politician, geologist and botanist...
. Together they had four sons and six daughters.
Career
Cordier entered the École des mines in 1794 and followed the well-known courses of Louis Nicolas VauquelinLouis Nicolas Vauquelin
Nicolas Louis Vauquelin , was a French pharmacist and chemist.-Early life:Vauquelin was born at Saint-André-d'Hébertot in Normandy, France. His first acquaintance with chemistry was gained as laboratory assistant to an apothecary in Rouen , and after various vicissitudes he obtained an introduction...
(1763–1829), René Just Haüy
René Just Haüy
René Just Haüy – 3 June 1822 in Paris) was a French mineralogist, commonly styled the Abbé Haüy after he was made an honorary canon of Notre Dame. He is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Crystallography." -Biography:...
(1743–1822) and Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu
Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu
Dieudonné Sylvain Guy Tancrède de Dolomieu usually known as Déodat de Dolomieu was a French geologist; the rock dolomite and the largest summital crater on the Piton de la Fournaise volcano were named after him.Déodat de Dolomieu was born in Dauphiné, France, one of 11 children of the Marquis de...
(1750–1801).
He gained his "diplôme d’ingénieur" in 1797 and followed Dolomieu first on an expedition to the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
, then as a scientist on Napoleon
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
's expedition 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...
from 1798 to 1799. Arriving in Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, Cordier immediately began his researches into the country's mineralogy and geology, with particular focus on the formation of the Nile
Nile
The Nile is a major north-flowing river in North Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. It is long. It runs through the ten countries of Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.The Nile has two major...
valley. On Dolomieu's taking ill, both of them attempted to return to France. Although Cordier was taken prisoner in Taranto
Taranto
Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Taranto and is an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base....
, subsequently being transferred to Messina in 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,...
, he was freed after three months in captivity as a result of Dolmieu's intervention and returned to France. In 1802 he published Mémoire sur le mercure argental, and in 1808 Description du dichtoïte, which revealed his deep interest in mineralogy. Cordier rose to the position of "ingénieur en chef" in 1809 and in 1816 he published his account of basalt
Basalt
Basalt is a common extrusive volcanic rock. It is usually grey to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or grey...
: Sur les substances minérales dites en masse, qui servent de base aux roches volcaniques.
In 1822 he was elected to the French Académie des sciences. In 1830 he was appointed "maître des requêtes" in the Conseil d'État. In the same year he participitated in the foundation of the French Geological Society (the Société géologique de France
Société géologique de France
The Société géologique de France is a French learned society founded on 17 March 1830. As of 2006, it counts 1,200 members....
). In 1832 he became inspector-general of mines in the south-west of France and in 1837, "conseiller d'État". He was made Commander of the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
in 1837, then Grand Officer in 1859; In 1839 he was elevated to the French peerage.
Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
Cordier started work at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelleMuséum national d'histoire naturelle
The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle is the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France.- History :The museum was formally founded on 10 June 1793, during the French Revolution...
in 1819, when he succeeded Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond
Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond
Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond , French geologist and traveller, was born at Montélimar. He was educated at the Jesuit's College at Lyon; afterwards he went to Grenoble where he studied law and was admitted as an advocate to the parlement.He rose to be president of the seneschal's court in...
(1741–1819) to the chair of geology. Cordier held this position until his death in 1861.
He was appointed director of the museum three times (from 1824 to 1825, from 1832 to 1833, and from 1838 to 1839) and was responsible for the creation of the "Galerie de géologie" in the museum. During his stewardship the collection grew from 1,500 specimens in 1819 to 200,000 in 1861, the year of his death in Paris. He made 51 geological journeys during his life, collecting specimens from within France (the Pyrenees, Languedoc, Maine, the Ardennes, the Vosges, Saxony and the Auvergne) as well as Tuscany, Liguria and the Alps. Many of the rocks that formed part of the museum's collection were sent to him from various continents by colleagues and friends. By 1844 Cordier had classified 337 types of rock.
Commemoration
CordieriteCordierite
Cordierite or iolite is a magnesium iron aluminium cyclosilicate. Iron is almost always present and a solid solution exists between Mg-rich cordierite and Fe-rich sekaninaite with a series formula: 2 to 2...
, a magnesium iron aluminium cyclosilicate known as "iolite" in gemology
Gemology
Gemology or gemmology is the science dealing with natural and artificial gems and gemstones. It is considered a geoscience and a branch of mineralogy...
, is named after him.