Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu
A daring French geologist who gave his name to the Dolomite Alps, blending scientific exploration with a life of high adventure.
1750–1801 (age 51)·18th-century French geologist, namesake of Dolomite·Birthday: June 23
Biography
Déodat de Dolomieu identified the unique carbonate rock later named 'dolomite' by a colleague during his travels across the Alps, Italy, and Sicily in the 1790s. Born into minor nobility, he was expelled from the Maltese Order as a teenager for killing a man in a duel. He turned to geology, embarking on arduous journeys. His scientific reputation earned him a place on Napoleon's expedition to Egypt, but on the return voyage he was captured and imprisoned in Sicily for nearly two years under brutal conditions. His release became a cause célèbre among European scientists. He died young, worn out by hardship, but his name remains on the map and in the understanding of the Earth's crust.
#1 When Déodat Was Born
The biggest hits of 1750
Déodat's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1750Born
1755Started school
1763Became a teenager
1766Could drive
1768Could vote
1771Turned 21
1780Turned 30
1790Turned 40
1800Turned 50
1801Died at 51
Key Achievements
- Identified and described the unique carbonate rock that was subsequently named 'dolomite' after him.
- Was a prominent member of Napoleon's scientific corps during the French campaign in Egypt.
- Published numerous influential geological memoirs and contributed significantly to early volcanic theory.
- His extensive field work helped advance the understanding of mountain formation and rock classification.
Did You Know?
At age 18, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a fellow knight in a duel, but his sentence was commuted due to his youth.
He was held as a prisoner of war in a Sicilian fortress for 21 months, where he continued his mineralogical studies.
The largest summit crater on the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion Island is named 'Dolomieu Crater'.
He was a correspondent of Benjamin Franklin, with whom he shared scientific ideas.
“I name these mountains for the bitter-tasting stone they contain.”
