Famous French naturalist.

Member of the Academy of Sciences (1733). Intendant du Jardin du roi (1739-89). Worked extensively on reorganizing and extending the collections of the garden.

Elected to the Académie française (1752). Wrote include de l’Histoire Naturelle and Discours sur le style.

Born in Montbard, France. Married in 1752 to Marie-Françoise de Saint-Belin Malain; one son, Georges-Louis-Marie (1764-1794).