He was still only a student when he co-founded, in 1824, the Annales des sciences naturelles. By linking fossil plants to geological strata, he founded palaeobotany. Son of a naturalist and grandson of the architect of Père-Lachaise, he has for main inscription that of his wife.
The story
Three generations of scientists and builders: his grandfather Alexandre-Théodore drew the plan of Père-Lachaise, his father Alexandre was the naturalist of the line, and in 1824 Adolphe Brongniart, still a student, co-founded the Annales des sciences naturelles.
It was then the study of fossil plants that gave him his place in the history of science. By establishing the relations between vanished species and the geological layers, he founded a new discipline: palaeobotany.
He died in 1876, thirteen years after his wife Agathe Françoise Théodore Boitel, to whom the main inscription on the grave, in Division 20, is given over. Nothing of palaeobotany, nothing of the Annales: the family stone names only the woman who went before him.
The grave
A family grave under the heading “Famille Adolphe BRONGNIART”, whose detailed inscription concerns his wife: “Agathe Françoise Théodore, BOITEL, wife of Adolphe Théodore BRONGNIART, born on 8 January 1802, died on 3 September 1863.” She went before him by thirteen years. Nothing of the palaeobotany he founded, nothing of the Annales des sciences naturelles co-founded at twenty-three.
On site, do not miss
The grave's main inscription concerns his wife Agathe Boitel, who died in 1863 — thirteen years before him. Nothing of palaeobotany. The heading reads “Famille Adolphe BRONGNIART”.
Visitors' questions
Where is Adolphe Brongniart's grave?
In Division 20, chemin de la Vierge, first row. The inscription reads “Famille Adolphe BRONGNIART” and names his wife, Agathe Françoise Théodore Boitel, who died on 3 September 1863. He died in 1876 and rests in Division 20.
Claude BernardWhat did he found at twenty-three?
The Annales des sciences naturelles, in 1824 — while still a student. The journal became one of the leading references of nineteenth-century French science, and he was only twenty-three at the time.
Alexandre BrongniartWhat is palaeobotany?
The study of fossil plants, of which he is the founder: by establishing the relationships between extinct species and geological strata, he revolutionised fossil botany.
Michel AdansonWas his a family of scientists?
Across three generations: his grandfather Alexandre-Théodore was the architect of Père-Lachaise, his father Alexandre the naturalist and director of the Sèvres porcelain works, and he himself the founder of palaeobotany.
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