Bachet de Meziriac, Claude-Gaspar

1. Dates

Born: Bourg-en-Bresse, 9 Oct.1581

Died: Bourg-en-Bresse, 26 Feb. 1638

Dateinfo: Dates Certain

Lifespan: 57

2. Father

Occupation: Aristocrat, Government Official

The honorable Jean Bachet, from an ancient and noble family, appeals judge in Bresse, the highest judicial official in the province, and counselor to Henry II. He died when Bachet was six.

It seems clear that he grew up in wealthy circumstances.

3. Nationality

Birth: Bourg-en-Bresse, France

Career: France

Death: Bourg-en-Besse, France

4. Education

Schooling: Padua

He had his early education in a house of the Jesuit order of the Duchy of Savoy.

Probably studied in the Jesuit school in Lyons.

Presumbly studied in Padua and may have been taught in a Jesuit School in Milan or Como.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Catholic

Bachet jointed the Jesuit order at the age of twenty. He did the premiere classe at Milan, but then fell ill and left the order (1602).

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Mathematics

Contribution to the theory of numbers and to the field of mathematical recreations. He discovered a method of constructing magic squares.

7. Means of Support

Primary: Personal Means

1602: After returning from Italy, he retired to his home in Bourg-en-Bresse, where he resolved to lead a life of leisure. He had a substantial estate, which yielded an annual rest of 5-6,000 livres at first, but increased to 8-10,000 upon the death of his elder brother.

He married in 1612 and pursued a quiet home life thereafter.

He was in Paris 1619-20.

8. Patronage

Type: None

Bachet shunned public office. When he was in Paris, it was suggested that he be tutor to Louis XIII. He hastily departed from the court.

9. Technological Involvement

Types: None

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

Member of the Académie Francaise, 1635.

Sources

1. C.G. Collet and Jean Itard," Un mathematician humaniste: Claude- Gaspar Bachet de Meziriac, 1581-1638," Revue d'histoire des sciences, 1 (1947), pp.26-50.
2. Roman d'Arrat, Dictionnaire de biographie Françcaise, 4, (Paris, 1948), col 1077-9. J.P. Niceron, Memoires pour servir a l'histoire des hommes illustres, 6, 1-12.

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University

Note: the creators of the Galileo Project and this catalogue cannot answer email on geneological questions.