Niceron, Jean-François

1. Dates

Born: Paris, 1613

Died: Aix-en-Provence, 22 Sept. 1646

Dateinfo: Dates Certain

Lifespan: 33

2. Father

Occupation: Unknown

We are told only that he was the eldest child of Claude Niceron and Renée Barbière.

3. Nationality

Birth: French

Career: French

Death: French

4. Education

Schooling: Religous Order

Niceron studied under Mersenne at the Collège de Nevers in Paris. (I have trouble reconciling that institution at that time, not to mention that place, with Mersenne's life. It does appear evident that Niceron was educated within the order.) There is no mention of a degree.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Catholic

In 1632 he entered the Order of the Minims.

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Optics

In his short life he occupied himself with the study of optics. In 1638 he published his first work on optics, La Perspective curieuse. The latin version was published in 1646 under the title of Thaumaturgus opticus. Though Niceron was aware of the latest theoretical developments, he concentrated primarily on the practical applications of perspective, catoptrics, dioptrics and the illusory effects of optics mostly associated with natural magic.

On the two occasions that he was sent to Rome, Niceron conducted experiments with other scientists in Rome suggested by the works of Galileo. He shared the latest developments of French scientists with their counterparts in Italy and returned to France with the scientific news from Italy.

7. Means of Support

Primary: Church Life

1639, appointed professor of mathematics at Trinità dei Monti.

1640, served as an auxiliary visitor with P. Francois de la Noue, vicar general, for the Minim monasteries. He was charged to teach theology as well.

8. Patronage

Type: Eccesiastic Official

Obviously his order utilized Niceron, but I am not calling this patronage.

However, he dedicated his Perspective to the Papal nuncio Bologneti.

9. Technological Involvement

Type: None

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

Sources

1. Lenoble, Robert, "Roberval 'editeur' de Mersenne et du P.
2. Niceron," Revue d'histoire des Sciences, 10 (1957), 235-54.
3. Q2.R45
4. Correspondence de Mersenne, 8-12 passim, with a short biography in 10, 811. BX4705.M53A3 Hoefer, Nouvelle biographie générale, (Paris, 1857-66).
5. Michaud, Biographie générale.
6. Charles Adam and G.Milhaud, eds., Descartes-correspondance, 3, (Paris, 1931), 412-13. B1873 .A19

Not Available and Not Consulted

1. Bonelli, Maria Luisa, "Una lettera di Evangelista Torricelli a Jean Francois Niceron," in Convegno di studi Torricelliani, (Faenza, 1959), pp. 37-41.

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.