Philosophy journal Philosophie positive was co-founded by Grigorii Nikolayevich Vyrubov in 1867 alongside Emile Littré. This marked a significant period in the professional life of the Russian-born thinker, who split his time between his homeland and France throughout his seventy-year life. He navigated dual citizenships while carving out a niche as a naturalist, historian, and philosopher.
Early Education and Influences
Born in Moscow in 1843, Vyrubov spent his formative years residing in both Italy and France. He eventually returned to pursue formal studies at the Imperial Moscow University. During his education, he earned a university candidate degree, focusing on the fields of medicine and natural philosophy. His early intellectual development was notably shaped by the influence of Edmond Nikolayevich Pommier.
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Beyond his role at Philosophie positive, which he edited from 1867 until 1881, Vyrubov maintained close ties to other Russian intellectual figures. He developed a friendship with Aleksandr Ivanovich Herzen.
Critique of the Periodic Law
In 1896, Vyrubov engaged in a public scientific debate regarding the validity of the periodic law proposed by Mendeleev. Vyrubov specifically targeted the premise that all properties of bodies function as periodic expressions of atomic weights. By pointing to the inconsistencies found in tellurium and iodine, he argued that the concept lacked the rigor required to be classified as a true system or law.
Academic and Fraternal Tenure
Despite a lack of formal training in the history of science, Vyrubov was appointed to the chair of that subject at the Collège de France in 1903. He occupied this position until his death in 1913. Simultaneously, he was a dedicated member of the freemasons, having been initiated in Paris in 1874. He served as the Worshipful Master for the Rose of the Perfect Silence, a lodge composed of Russian emigrants.
Fast facts
- Born: 1843, Moscow
- Died: 1913, Paris
- Citizenship: France, Russian Empire
- Education: Imperial Moscow University
- Primary Field: Philosophy
- Major Employer: Collège de France
- Freemason Initiation Date: 7 January 1874
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Vyrubov study at university?
He studied medicine and natural philosophy at the Imperial Moscow University.
Which institution employed Vyrubov during the final decade of his life?
He held the chair of history of science at the Collège de France from 1903 until 1913.
Achievements
- Held posts at Collège de France
