Saussure
Achievements: Key influence in early geology.
Born: February 17, 1740, Conches (Geneva), Switzerland
Died: January 22, 1799, Geneva, Switzerland; Aged 58.
Field & Discipline: Science; Geology
Language: French
Education: University of Geneva
Major Work: "Voyages dans les Alpes, precedes d'un essai sur l'histoire naturelle des environs de Geneve” (Travels in the Alps, preceded by an essay on the natural history of Geneva's environs)
Life & Times:
Always interested in nature, Saussure was greatly influenced by two naturalists: [his uncle was] Bonnet*, his uncle, and [influenced by] Haller*. After university, at 20 Saussure went to Chamonix to collect plant specimens for Haller. He wrote poetic descriptions of the Chamonix mountains and glaciers and advertised a reward to the first person who climbed Mont Blanc. In 1762, he published a paper, "Observations sur l'encore des feuilles et des petales". The following year, backed by Haller, he was made chair of philosophy at the Geneva academy. On a second trip to Chamonix in 1764, he began to make geological observations. Climbing Mont Blanc in 1767, he carried out experiments on heat and cold, the weight of the atmosphere, and magnetism (he probably used the newly-invented electrometer).
On a trip to Paris in 1768, he met [met] Buffon* with whom he discussed geology. That summer, he visited England, investigated coal, tin and lead mines, met members of the Royal Society, and conferred with [met] Franklin* on the nature of electricity. In 1772, suffering poor health, Saussure spent the winter in Italy, where he inspected iron mines at Elba and Mount Vesuvius near Naples, guided by travel writer [travelled with] Sir William Hamilton*. On his return to Geneva, he was made rector of the University and founded the Societe des Arts, whose purpose was to examine the application of the arts to industry.
Between 1774 and 1784, he made a number of long trips through the Alps. On his first trip, [assistant was] Pictet* was one of his assistants. On a trip in 1777, he visited Italian scientist [visited] Volta* at Como and Haller at Berne. Saussure's major work, "Voyages dans les Alpes precedes d'un essai sur l'histoire naturelle des environs de Geneve” (Travels in the Alps, preceded by an essay on the natural history of Geneva's environs), was published in four volumes between 1779 and 1796.
In 1786, Saussure retired from the University of Geneva and began his most strenuous Alpine expeditions. He reached the summit of Mont Blanc in 1787, one year after the first ascent by Michel Gabriel Paccard. Saussure conducted a variety of experiments and made geological observations during the four and a half hours he was at the summit. The public keenly followed the trip. Saussure took his son along on another expedition. Making their base at 11,000 feet on the Col de Geant, they carried out daily observations of meteorological conditions and also studied geological and topological conditions.
When Geneva became part of France during the French revolution, Saussure hoped to be offered a post in a French university, possibly linked to a post as inspector of mines. He also considered emigrating to the United States after [offered job by] Jefferson*, who was founding a university at Charlottesville, Virginia, suggested that some professors from the University of Geneva -- mentioning Saussure in particular -- might want to seek asylum and work in America. But none of this came to pass. In 1794, he suffered a series of strokes that left him partially paralyzed. His mind, however, remained alert.
Saussure's ideas were closely linked with those of his contemporary, the German geologist [work related to] Werner* (whose geological theories -- named "Neptunist" -- were eventually discredited), but he never gave a comprehensive account of his view of the history of the Earth. Even so, his work was of great significance in the development of geology. [influenced] James Hutton*, considered the founder of geology as a science, drew on it to formulate his theories.
In theBiographie Universelle, paleontologist [a fan was] Cuvier* described Saussure as the founder of zoology, creator of scientific botany, "a prodigy of industry, of knowledge and sagacity." Saussure's literary style, much overlooked, was praised by [a fan was] Ruskin*.
Extra Connections: In 1796 he met botanist [met] Candolle*
His work related that of [work related to] Sedgwick*.
May have influenced Charles Darwin.
Grandson a famous linguist.
Assessment: Made a major contribution toward the development of a methodology for the new science of geology
Oneliner: Horace de Saussure, geologist and early Alpinist
Bibliography:
- Freshfield, Douglas W. and H. F. Montagnier, The Life of Horace Benedict de Saussure, Edward Arnold; London, 1920.
Video: Connections
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/a-scientist-invented-the-cyanometer-just-to-measure-the-blueness-of-the-sky
Father: Nicolas de Saussure
Mother: Unknown
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: Albertine Amelie Boissier
Children: Nicolas-Theodore