FREYCINET (Charles-Louis de Saulces de). - Lot 114

FREYCINET (Charles-Louis de Saulces de). Foix, 1828–1923 Engineer, statesman, and a leading figure of the Third Republic. A graduate of the École Polytechnique, he played a key role in the development of French infrastructure (the Freycinet Plan) and served as Prime Minister four times between 1879 and 1892. Autograph letter signed “C. de Freycinet” to a friend Paris, undated (December 22) 1 page (fragment), in-8. An interesting letter concerning Parisian scientific life, in which Freycinet refers to the presentation of a paper at the Academy of Sciences: “I was unable to present your interesting paper to the Academy of Sciences on Monday… but he intends to present it next Monday… either through me or through Mr. Bertrand… ”. This note attests to Freycinet’s active role in the scholarly circles of his time, at the intersection of science, engineering, and academic institutions, alongside his high-ranking political offices. The reference to “Mr. Bertrand” most likely refers to Joseph Bertrand, an influential mathematician and permanent secretary of the Academy of Sciences. Good condition.