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Article: Alembert, Jean Le Rond D' (1717–1783)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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ALEMBERT, JEAN LE ROND D' (1717
–
1783)
ALEMBERT, JEAN LE ROND D'
(1717
–
1783), French mathematician, scientist, philosopher, and writer. Born 17 November 1717, Jean Le Rond d'Alembert was the illegitimate son of the famous Claudine Alexandrine Gu
é
rin, marquise de Tencin, and an artillery officer, Louis-Camus Destouches. Abandoned on the steps of Saint-Jean-Le-Rond in Paris, he was taken to the Foundling Home and named after the church where he was discovered. Through his father's efforts he was placed with a foster mother, Mme. Rousseau, to whom he remained devoted. His father also saw to it that his son received a good education; he attended first a private school, ...