Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan

Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan (November 26, 1678 – February 20, 1771) was a French geophysicist.

Related Topics:
November 26 - 1678 - February 20 - 1771 - French

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He was born in Béziers, France. His father, François d'Ortous, belonged to the landed gentry, but he died when William was four. His mother would die when William was sixteen in 1694.

Related Topics:
Béziers - Gentry - 1694

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He attended college in Toulouse, with a focus in ancient Greek. In 1698 he went to Paris to study mathematics and physics.

Related Topics:
Toulouse - Greek - Paris - Mathematics - Physics

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In 1718 he was made a member of the Académie Royal des Sciences, and held offices at various times up until 1760, including secretary, assistant director, and director. Eventually he was appointed editor of the Journal des Scavans, a science periodical.

Related Topics:
1718 - Académie Royal des Sciences

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In 1731 he observed a nebulosity around a star near the Orion nebula. This was later designated M43.

Related Topics:
1731 - Star - Orion nebula - M43

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He died of pneumonia in Paris.

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