MOIGNO (François, Napoléon, Marie, abbé) - Lot 191

Lot 191
Go to lot
Estimation :
100 - 120 EUR
Bid on drouot.com
MOIGNO (François, Napoléon, Marie, abbé) - Lot 191
MOIGNO (François, Napoléon, Marie, abbé) (1804-1884) French mathematician, physicist and popularizer of science. Autograph manuscript signed "F. Moigno". entitled: Mort de M. Mauvais S.l.n.d. [1854]. 3 pages in-8. Important obituary manuscript dedicated to the astronomer Victor Mauvais. Interesting and moving manuscript in which Abbé Moigno recounts the career and tragic end of astronomer Victor Mauvais (1809-1854), a member of the Institut and the Bureau des Longitudes. The text opens with the announcement of his death: "M. Victor Mauvais [...] is no more, and has taken his own life". and goes on to provide a detailed analysis of the circumstances that led to his death, in particular the institutional upheavals that followed the reorganization of the Paris Observatory after Arago's death. Moigno insists on Arago's decisive role in Mauvais's career, describing a scientist who was deeply loyal to his master, to the point of not being able to accept the administrative transformations he deemed contrary to his heritage: "...immolating himself to the glory of François Arago, whom he wrongly believed to be under attack". The manuscript also offers a precise overview of Mauvais's scientific work: discovery of three comets (1843, 1844, 1847) work on ecliptic obliquity research into the intersections of planetary orbits participation in work on Gambey's meridian circle Finally, he mentions his institutional career: member of the Académie des Sciences Knight of the Legion of Honor deputy for Doubs at the Constituent Assembly in 1848 The text blends scientific biography, political analysis and moral portraiture, describing a man who was "modest and gentle", but deeply affected by circumstances.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue