Jean-François Clouet

November 11, 1751 (age 49)

Singly, Ardennes, France

After several journeys devoted to study Clouet established a pottery works at Singly and experimented with the manufacture of enamels. Although his enterprise had some success, Clouet abandoned it in 1783 in order to become a drawing teacher and a préparateur in physics and chemistry at the École du Génie. He assisted Gaspard Monge, a professor at the school, in experiments on the composition of water, the liquefaction of sulfur dioxide, and the flight of balloons. At the end of 1784 he succeeded Monge as professor of physics and chemistry, and from that time on, he directed his research toward metallurgical problems, such as the composition of siderite, the study of arsenious iron, the manufacture of Damascus blades, and the preparation of cast steel. During the Revolution, Clouet was politically active. In January 1793 he was put in charge of reorganizing several metallurgical establishments. Called to Paris in 1795 to expand his attempts to manufacture cast steel, he worked in various laboratories, including those at the École Polytechnique and the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers. On 10 April 1798 he presented his results to the Institut de France and was honored at the exposition of September 1798. Associate of the mechanical arts section of the Institut National (28 February 1796), member of the Bureau Consultatif des Arts et Manufactures, and esteemed by the leading chemists of Paris, Clouet nevertheless rebelled against social constraints and joined the circle of idéologues that gathered around Claude Henri de Saint-Simon. In November 1799 he left for Guiana in order to escape from civilized life and to undertake researches on the conditions of life in tropical regions. He died at Cayenne on July 4, 1801.

Jean-François Clouet

Edit Profile

chemist metallurgist scientist

Background

Clouet was born on November 11, 1751, in Singly, France, the son of Norbert Clouet, a farmer, and the former Marie-Jeanne Tayant.

Education

After studying classics at the collège of Charleville, Clouet took the elementary technical courses at the École du Génie de Mézières.

$Education period of Jean-Fran\u00E7ois Clouet in \u00C9cole royale du g\u00E9nie de M\u00E9zi\u00E8res$

Career

After several journeys devoted to study Clouet established a pottery works at Singly and experimented with the manufacture of enamels. Although his enterprise had some success, Clouet abandoned it in 1783 in order to become a drawing teacher and a préparateur in physics and chemistry at the École du Génie. He assisted Gaspard Monge, a professor at the school, in experiments on the composition of water, the liquefaction of sulfur dioxide, and the flight of balloons. At the end of 1784 he succeeded Monge as professor of physics and chemistry, and from that time on, he directed his research toward metallurgical problems, such as the composition of siderite, the study of arsenious iron, the manufacture of Damascus blades, and the preparation of cast steel.

During the Revolution, Clouet was politically active. In January 1793 he was put in charge of reorganizing several metallurgical establishments. Called to Paris in 1795 to expand his attempts to manufacture cast steel, he worked in various laboratories, including those at the École Polytechnique and the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers. On 10 April 1798 he presented his results to the Institut de France and was honored at the exposition of September 1798.

Associate of the mechanical arts section of the Institut National (28 February 1796), member of the Bureau Consultatif des Arts et Manufactures, and esteemed by the leading chemists of Paris, Clouet nevertheless rebelled against social constraints and joined the circle of idéologues that gathered around Claude Henri de Saint-Simon. In November 1799 he left for Guiana in order to escape from civilized life and to undertake researches on the conditions of life in tropical regions. He died at Cayenne on July 4, 1801.

Achievements

Although unable to complete his work, Clouet helped to orient French chemical research toward concrete problems, particularly the modernization of the metallurgical industry.

Membership

Bureau Consultatif des Arts et Manufactures , France

Connections

Father:: Norbert Clouet
Mother:: Marie-Jeanne Tayant

References

Dictionary of Scientific Biography Volume 3
1971

Main Photo

School period

College/University

Gallery of Jean-François Clouet

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Other photo of Jean-François Clouet

Connections

Connections

Jean-François Clouet

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

Membership

Connections

References

Born

Died

Nationality

Ethnicity

Education

Career

1783 - 1784

1784 - 1795

1796

Official Titles