Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon

Author: Leandro Alegsa

14-11-2022

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (7 September 1707 – 16 April 1788), usually called Buffon, was a French naturalist. He was also a mathematician, cosmologist and encyclopedic author.

His collected information influenced the next two generations of naturalists, including Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and Georges Cuvier.

Buffon published 35 volumes of his Histoire naturelle during his lifetime, and nine more were published after his death, for a total of 44 volumes. "Truly, Buffon was the father of all thought in natural history in the second half of the 18th century". ^p330

Buffon held the position of Intendant (Director) of the Jardin du Roi, now called the Jardin des Plantes; it is the French equivalent of Kew Gardens. The Lycée Buffon in Paris is named after him.

Questions and Answers

Q: Who was Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon?

A: Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon was a French naturalist, mathematician, cosmologist, and encyclopedic author.

Q:What was Buffon's impact on natural history?

A: Buffon's collected information influenced the next two generations of naturalists, including Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and Georges Cuvier, making him the father of all thought in natural history in the second half of the 18th century.

Q: How many volumes of Histoire Naturelle did Buffon publish?

A: Buffon published 35 volumes of his Histoire naturelle during his lifetime, and nine more were published after his death, for a total of 44 volumes.

Q: What was Buffon's position at the Jardin du Roi?

A: Buffon held the position of Intendant (Director) of the Jardin du Roi, now called the Jardin des Plantes, which is the French equivalent of Kew Gardens.

Q: Is there a school named after Buffon in Paris?

A: Yes, the Lycée Buffon in Paris is named after him.

Q: Was Buffon only a naturalist?

A: No, Buffon was also a mathematician and cosmologist, and an encyclopedic author.

Q: When was Buffon born and when did he die?

A: Buffon was born on 7 September 1707, and he died on 16 April 1788.