About
Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot, born on 13 May 1753 in Nolay, Burgundy, was a French mathematician, physicist, general, and politician. Graduating from the École royale du génie de Mézières in 1773, he was elected deputy to the Legislative Assembly and then to the National Convention, where he voted for the death of Louis XVI. As a member of the Committee of Public Safety from August 1793 to October 1794, he reorganized the Revolutionary armies and instituted the levée en masse, earning the byname 'Organizer of Victory'. He contributed to the victories at Wattignies and Fleurus. Co-founder of the École Polytechnique in 1794, he was elected to the Académie des sciences in 1796. A Director under the Directory, he was proscribed in 1797.
* 1753-05-13 — † 1823-08-02
Major works
- Essai sur les machines en général (1786)scientific essay
- Géométrie de position (1803)mathematical treatise
- Principes fondamentaux de l'équilibre et du mouvement (1803)mechanics treatise
Key milestones
- 1793As a member of the Committee of Public Safety, he organized the levée en masse and won the victory at Wattignies.
- 1794Co-founded the École Polytechnique with Gaspard Monge.
- 1815Minister of the Interior during the Hundred Days, he was proscribed at the Second Restoration.
Themes
Military organizationGeometryMechanicsFrench RevolutionEducation
Sources: britannica.com · napoleon.org · metmuseum.org