Edmond BERTHÉLEMY
See onthe map
Officier d'Académie.
Edmond Berthélemy was an Officier d'Académie, the oldest French civil decoration after the Legion of Honour: Napoleon created it in 1808 for teachers, and its violet ribbon earned it its nickname. It went to schoolmasters and scholars; primary teachers had to wait until 1846 to qualify, and to serve twenty years where five were enough elsewhere. Of Berthélemy himself nothing remains but that title and a bronze bust carved by L. Rougerot in 1885.
The story
Born in 1847, Edmond Berthélemy was a man of letters, and in the course of his career received the title of officier d'académie, an honorary distinction then given to those who had rendered services to public education or to the sciences and letters.
Little known to the public today, in the nineteenth century that distinction marked a real degree of social standing, and went to teachers, to scholars and to patrons of education.
He died in 1898 and lies in Division 47, avenue Circulaire, third line, under a silvered bronze bust the sculptor L. Rougerot had made of him thirteen years earlier, in 1885. The bust stands on three books and a cushion: it is the only thing on the grave that says what he did.
On site, do not miss
The silvered bronze bust, set on three books and a cushion — the only object on the grave that says what he did.
Visitors' questions
What is an officier d'académie?
A French honorary distinction of the nineteenth century, awarded to people who had rendered services to public education, the sciences or letters — one that Edmond Berthélemy received.
The political figures of Père-LachaiseWhere is Edmond Berthélemy's grave?
In Division 47, on the avenue Circulaire, third row, beneath a silvered bronze bust the sculptor L. Rougerot made of him in 1885, thirteen years before his death. Set on three books and a cushion, it is the only object on the grave that says what he did.
The grave of Abel FaivreDoes the rank of officier d'académie still exist?
It evolved over time into today's Order of Academic Palms, which continues to honour services rendered to education and culture in France.
Daniel CordierDo other modest figures of the Third Republic rest in Division 47?
Yes, among them Georges Morel, a municipal councillor of Aubervilliers, which shows the range of lives honoured in this part of the cemetery.
Gisèle HalimiAudio guide to Père Lachaise: the best unusual guided tour!
Discover the secrets of the most astonishing tombs
the audio guidefrom€6.99