Denis, Jean-Baptiste

1. Dates

Born: Paris, ca 1640

Died: 3 Oct. 1704

Dateinfo: Birth Uncertain

Lifespan: 64

2. Father

Occupation: Engineer

His father was Louis XIV's chief engineer. Niceron says that his father made water pumps.

No information on financial status.

3. Nationality

Birth: French

Career: French

Death: French

4. Education

Schooling: Montpelier, M.D.

Studied medicine at Montpellier, no record of any degree. Both Niceron and Hoefer say that he received an M.D., however. I assume a B.A. or its equivalent.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Catholic (assumed)

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Medicine

Subordinate: Astrology

He is remembered for his transfusion experiments. He performed the transfusion of blood on dogs and on men in 1667 and 1668.

He published a Discours sur l'astrologie judicaire et sur les horoscopes (1669).

7. Means of Support

Primary: Patronage, Medicine, Schoolmastering

After receiving his degree, Denis was attached to the Chambre royal. He had the title of ordinary consulting physician to the king. Although I did not find explicit mention, everything suggests a medical practice as well.

He taught philosophy and mathematics in Paris, assuming the title of professor. Beginning in 1664, Denis gave public lectures in physics, mathematics and medicine at his home in Paris.

In 1673 he was invited to England by Charles II, but later returned to France to continue his interests in science and mathematics.

8. Patronage

Type: Court

Charles II invited him to England in 1673. The king wished to learn about transfusion and Denis'other remedies.

He had a relation with Louis XIV (see above), and he published Recueil de mémoires & conferences sur les arts & les sciences, presentées à M. le Dauphin pendant l'année 1672.

9. Technological Involvement

Type: Medical Practice

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

He jointed the Montmort group in 1664.

Sources

1. J.P.Niceron, Memoires pour servir a l'histoire des hommes illustres de la republique des lettres, XXXVII, Paris, 1727, pp. 77-81.
2. Hoefer, Nouvelle biographie générale, (Paris, 1857-66), 13 636.

Not Available and Not Consulted

1. Jean Astruc, Mémoires pour servir a l'histoire de la Faculté de Montpellier, rev.by M.Lorry and P.G.Cavelier, 5, (Paris, 1767), 378.

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.