Details
VILLARS, Dominique (1745-1814, botanist). Autograph notes for a life of d'Alembert, n. p., n. d. [1783?], 3 pages, 4to (a few ink blots, 2 small holes from ink erosion), and two autograph minutes of letters, to an unidentified Marquis and to [Pierre Louis de] Lacretelle, [Paris], 24 July 1786, 2 pages, 4to.
'Notes pour servir à la vie historique de M[onsieu]r d'Alembert dont je devois être l'ami tendre et sincère non seulement par un penchant naturel mais encore par reconoissance pour l'amitié qu'il m'avait vouée': a moving account of d'Alembert's life and death, including his autopsy and funeral - 'il est mort en vrai philosophe; les approches de la mort n'ont point du tout troublée sa tête, et il l'a vue avec un courage et une tranquillité d'ame bien rares dans ces momens ... '. The minuted letters refer to enquiries made of a doorkeeper at the Marquis's request and to a work by Lacretelle.
Villars, trained as a doctor, was introduced to botany by the Abbé Dominique Chaix through whom he became familiar with the works of Linnaeus. D'Alembert died on 28 August 1783.
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'Notes pour servir à la vie historique de M[onsieu]r d'Alembert dont je devois être l'ami tendre et sincère non seulement par un penchant naturel mais encore par reconoissance pour l'amitié qu'il m'avait vouée': a moving account of d'Alembert's life and death, including his autopsy and funeral - 'il est mort en vrai philosophe; les approches de la mort n'ont point du tout troublée sa tête, et il l'a vue avec un courage et une tranquillité d'ame bien rares dans ces momens ... '. The minuted letters refer to enquiries made of a doorkeeper at the Marquis's request and to a work by Lacretelle.
Villars, trained as a doctor, was introduced to botany by the Abbé Dominique Chaix through whom he became familiar with the works of Linnaeus. D'Alembert died on 28 August 1783.
(3)
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