Adolphe de Barrau

Adolphe Edouard of Barrau is born in Aveyron in 1803, he is doctor and naturalist.

Studies and profession

After having obtained its doctorate of Medicine to the Medical college of Montpellier, it is Chirurgie N of the royal Marine, and for this reason it takes part in the conquest of Algiers in June 1830. It benefits from these years to study the plants along the coasts of the North Africa and the Balearic Islands. Thereafter, it enters to the Seminar to Paris but there remain only a few years there.

The exploration of Algeria

In 1839 and 1840, he is member as a botanist of the scientific Commission of exploration of Algeria chaired by the colonel Jean-Baptiste Bory of Saint-Vincent (1778-1846) and one of the heiresses of famous the Commission of Egypt. He works with Sirs Baccuet, Aimé, Berbrugger, Guichenot, Deshayes, Ravergié, Vaillant, the commander Pellissier, etc

Its return in France

On its return in France, it will maintain a correspondence followed with scientists his time. Here in this respect a letter of the one of its sons:

“(…) my sister gives me a very large stock of letters received by my father of several botanists, mineralogists, naturalists, with whom it was in correspondence followed during more than one quarter century. I spend my days to reading these letters. My interest goes especially on those of the scientists such as Marcel de Serres (v. 1780-1862), Dunal (1789-1856), Moquin-Tandon (1801-1863), Girou de Buzareingues (1773-1856), colonel Bories Saint-Vincent. This one was president of the exploring scientific Commission of Algeria, from which my father formed part in 1839 and 1840. Mr Moquin-Tandon, member of the Institute (death suddenly in Paris in April 1863), preserved very friendly relations with my father during all his life. He had much science and not badly of spirit. (…) ”.

Always also impassioned by the study of the plants, he traverses - with his brother Hippolyte de Barrau - the Département of Aveyron and they constitute an herbarium of more together than: 2000 plants.

He dies in his native land in 1884.

Writings

Test on the scurvy (Thesis of State)

Member of learned societies

One of the founders and member of the Company of the letters, sciences and arts of Aveyron
Member of the Company of natural history of Montpellier
Member of the botanical Company of France (as of 1854)

Other functions

Elected member of the General advice of Aveyron

Anecdote

Then studying at the Medical college of Montpellier, it to him is asked for one day of give care to a person who presents herself. Once his finished care it is said to him that this person is not other than François Guizot ((1774-1887) (which will become later celebrates it politician that one knows).

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