Le Roy, Jean-Baptiste (1720-1800)

French scientist.

One of Franklin’s closest friends and scientific collaborators. Shared with Franklin an interest in the hygiene and ventilation of prisons and hospitals.

Carried out important studies on positive and negative electricity. His interest in electricity brought him into contact with Franklin as early as 1753, when he undertook to defend Franklin’s theories against the attacks of the Abbé Nollet.

Named a geometrician (1751), a mécanicien associé (1766), and a pensionnaire (1770) to the Academy of Sciences at Paris.

Wrote a large number of memoirs and articles which appeared in the publications of the Academy of Sciences and in the Journal de physique.

Born in Paris. Brother of Pierre Le Roy, Charles Le Roy, and Julien-David Le Roy.