Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan | |
|---|---|
 Engraving by Pierre-Charles Ingouf (1746–1800) | |
| Born | 26 November 1678 Béziers, France |
| Died | 20 February 1771 (aged 92) Paris, France |
| Education | University of Toulouse |
| Known for | Studies of circadian rhythm |
| Awards | Elected to the French Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the Royal Society, Foreign Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geophysics, astronomy, chronobiology |
| Patrons | Cardinal de Fleury, Louis XV, Prince of Conti, Duke of Orléans |
| Doctoral advisor | Nicolas Malebranche |
Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan (26 November 1678 – 20 February 1771) was a French natural philosopher (physicist), born in the town of Béziers on 26 November 1678.[1] De Mairan lost his father, François d'Ortous, at age four and his mother twelve years later at age sixteen.[1] Over the course of his life, de Mairan was elected into numerous scientific societies and made key discoveries in a variety of fields including ancient texts and astronomy. His observations and experiments also inspired the beginning of what is now known as the study of biological circadian rhythms. At the age of 92, de Mairan died of pneumonia in Paris on 20 February 1771.
- ^ a b Westfall, Richard S. "Mairan, Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de". The Galileo Project. Rice University. Retrieved 18 April 2011.