Chemist and mineralogist.

Author of scientific articles and memoirs. Conservative opponent of new scientific theories.

Member of the Académie royale des sciences (1768). Aide-major to the Hôtel des Invalides. Royal Censor. Chair of experimental mineralogy at the Hôtel des Monnaies (1778). Director of the Ecole des Mines (1783).

Born in Paris. Son of an apothecary.