Pierre Petit (8 December 1594[1][2] – 20 August 1677) was a French astronomer, physicist, mathematician and instrument maker.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Pierre_Petit_1671_Dissertations_acad%C3%A9miques_sur_la_nature.jpg/220px-Pierre_Petit_1671_Dissertations_acad%C3%A9miques_sur_la_nature.jpg)
Petit was born in Montluçon. He succeeded his father in his municipal office (Contrôleur de l'élection), but went to Paris in 1633 to dedicate himself to the sciences. He was a member of the circle around Marin Mersenne, and knew Etienne Pascal, Blaise Pascal, and René Descartes. Later he was a member of the academy of Montmor. On 4 April 1667 he became a fellow of The Royal Society.[1]
He also served as a military engineer and geographer to Louis XIII and Louis XIV, in roles such as Superintendent of Fortifications.
He died in Lagny-sur-Marne in 1677.
References edit
- ^ a b Database of all Royal Society fellows, from About Us at the Royal Society official site
- ^ His birth year is sometimes given as 1598.