The publication of the six-volume Ornithologie in 1760 marked a shift in descriptive zoology, providing a standard of precision that remained a reference for decades. Mathurin Jacques Brisson, a French polymath, pivoted from the study of natural history to become a professor of physics, leaving behind a body of technical work that spanned multiple scientific disciplines.
Early Career and Natural History
Born on 30 April 1723 in Fontenay-le-Comte, Brisson initially pursued ecclesiastic studies before abandoning them in 1747. Two years later, he began working for René Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur. As the curator of de Réaumur’s extensive private natural history collection, Brisson developed a focus on animal classification. His 1756 publication, Le Règne animal, was followed by his notable study of birds, which meticulously differentiated between his own direct observations of specimens and descriptions attributed to other authors.
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Following the death of de Réaumur in 1757, the collection he had cultivated was integrated into the royal natural history holdings in Paris. This event signaled a transition in Brisson's professional path. In 1762, he succeeded Jean-Antoine Nollet as the professor of physics at the College of Navarre in Paris. During this phase, he also served as an instructor of natural history and physical sciences to the royal family.
Scientific Contributions and Later Years
Brisson's academic rigor extended to physics and chemistry. In 1787, he published Pesanteur Spécifique des Corps, a work centered on the specific weight of bodies. He held distinct positions in the field of electricity, openly challenging the theories of Franklin and Priestley. A member of the French Academy of Sciences from 1759, he continued his work until his death on 23 June 1806 in Magny-les-Hameaux.
Fast facts
- Born: 30 April 1723, Fontenay-le-Comte
- Died: 23 June 1806, Magny-les-Hameaux
- Education: University of Poitiers
- Academy membership: French Academy of Sciences
- Major ornithology work: 1760
- Physics appointment: College of Navarre, 1762
- Marriage: Marie-Denise Foliot de Foucherolles, 1775
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of Brisson’s ornithological work?
He provided highly detailed descriptions of bird species, distinguishing clearly between his own examinations and the reports of other authors.
Did Brisson use the binomial system of classification?
While he introduced names for genera that are currently accepted, his specific names for bird species do not conform to the binomial system.
Achievements
- Fields: philosophy, zoology and physics
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