Pierre André Latreille
| Pierre André Latreille | |
|---|---|
Pierre André Latreille
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| Born |
29 November 1762 Brive-la-Gaillarde, Corrèze |
| Died | 6 February 1833 (aged 70) Paris |
| Nationality | French |
| Fields | Entomology, arachnology, carcinology |
| Institutions | Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle |
| Alma mater | University of Paris |
| Author abbrev. (zoology) | Latreille |
Pierre André Latreille (29 November 1762 – 6 February 1833) was a French zoologist, specialising in arthropods. Having trained as a Roman Catholic priest before the French Revolution, Latreille was imprisoned, and only regained his freedom after recognising a rare beetle species he found in the prison, Necrobia ruficollis.
He published his first important work in 1796 (Précis des caractères génériques des insectes), and was eventually employed by the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. His foresighted work on arthropod systematics and taxonomy gained him respect and accolades, including being asked to write the volume on arthropods for George Cuvier's monumental work, Le Règne Animal, the only part not by Cuvier himself.
Latreille was considered the foremost entomologist of his time, and was described by one of his pupils as "the prince of entomologists".
Pierre André Latreille was born on 29 November 1762 in the town of Brive, then in the province of Limousin, as the illegitimate child of Jean Joseph Sahuguet d'Amarzit, général baron d'Espagnac, and an unknown mother; the surname "Latreille" was formally granted to him in 1813, and derives from a nickname of unclear provenance. Latreille was orphaned at an early age, but had influential protectors – first a physician, then a merchant from Brive, and later a baron and his family (after the baron's death), who brought him to Paris in 1778.
He studied in the Collège du Cardinal Lemoine to become a priest, initially in Brive, and later in Paris. He entered the Grand Séminaire of Limoges in 1780, and left as a deacon in 1786. Despite being qualified to preach, Latreille later wrote that he had never carried out his functions as a minister, although for a few years he signed the letters he wrote "l'Abbé Latreille" ("the Reverend Latreille") or "Latreille, Prêtre" ("Latreille, Priest").
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