|
|
| Physicist and geologist, born in Geneva, Switzerland. He became professor of physics and philosophy at Geneva (1762--88), travelled in Germany, Italy, and England, and crossed the Alps by several routes. He was the first traveller to ascend Mont Blanc (1787). A pioneer in the study of mineralogy, botany, geology, and meteorology, his invaluable observations are recorded in Voyages dans les Alpes (1779--96, Travels in the Alps). He devised the hair hygrometer and other instruments. The mineral saussurite is named after him, and he introduced the term geology into scientific nomenclature. |