Societe Philomatique de Paris

A philomatic society is an association of persons who love sciences. The term "philomatic" (in French, philomathique) is no longer in use. The philomatic societies were influential in the nineteenth century. The most remarkable was the Philomatic Society of Paris (Société Philomathique de Paris).

This Society was created on 10 December 1788 by Augustin-François de Silvestre, Alexandre Brogniard, Audirac, Broval, Petit and Riche. It was defined by J.-André Thomas, one of its members, as:

"La Société Philomathique de Paris est une société scientifique et philosophique pluridisciplinaire, de haut niveau. On en devient membre par cooptation, puis par vote de substitution, car le nombre de ses adhérents est limité. Elle est républicaine, non secrète, entièrement ouverte à la connaissance, farouchement indépendante; elle cultive l'authenticité, la tolérance, la liberté."

"The Philomatic Society of Paris is a high-level multidisciplinary scientific and philosophical society. One becomes a member by co-option, then by substitution vote as the number of members is limited. The Society is republican, non-secret, and fully open to knowledge, fiercely independent; it promotes authenticity, tolerance and freedom."

Many great scientists belonged to the Société: Lavoisier, Laplace, Lacroix, Cuvier, Gay-Lussac, Ampère, Cauchy, Fresnel, Pasteur, Becquerel, De Broglie. Since 1944, the Société has had eleven Nobel Prizes awarded to scientists among its members, and seventeen to emeritus members (including Dirac, Heisenberg, Morgan, and Planck).

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