Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric Cuvier, known as Georges Cuvier, was a French naturalist and zoologist, sometimes referred to as the "father of paleontology". source
Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric Cuvier, known as Georges Cuvier, was a French naturalist and zoologist, sometimes referred to as the "father of paleontology".
Georges Cuvier's work is considered the foundation of vertebrate paleontology, and he expanded Linnaean taxonomy by grouping classes into phyla and incorporating both fossils and living species into the classification. source
Georges Cuvier's work is considered the foundation of vertebrate paleontology, and he expanded Linnaean taxonomy by grouping classes into phyla and incorporating both fossils and living species into the classification.
Georges Cuvier is also known for establishing extinction as a fact—at the time, extinction was considered by many of Cuvier's contemporaries to be merely controversial speculation. source
Georges Cuvier is also known for establishing extinction as a fact—at the time, extinction was considered by many of Cuvier's contemporaries to be merely controversial speculation.
In his Essay on the Theory of the Earth (1813) Georges Cuvier was interpreted to have proposed that new species were created after periodic catastrophic floods. source
In his Essay on the Theory of the Earth (1813) Georges Cuvier was interpreted to have proposed that new species were created after periodic catastrophic floods.
In this way, Georges Cuvier became the most influential proponent of catastrophism in geology in the early 19th century. source
In this way, Georges Cuvier became the most influential proponent of catastrophism in geology in the early 19th century.
Georges Cuvier's study of the strata of the Paris basin with Alexandre Brongniart established the basic principles of biostratigraphy. source
Georges Cuvier's study of the strata of the Paris basin with Alexandre Brongniart established the basic principles of biostratigraphy.
Georges Cuvier named the pterosaur Pterodactylus, described the aquatic reptile Mosasaurus, and was one of the first people to suggest the earth had been dominated by reptiles, rather than mammals, in prehistoric times. source
Georges Cuvier named the pterosaur Pterodactylus, described the aquatic reptile Mosasaurus, and was one of the first people to suggest the earth had been dominated by reptiles, rather than mammals, in prehistoric times.
Georges Cuvier is also remembered for strongly opposing theories of evolution, which at the time were mainly proposed by Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. source
Georges Cuvier is also remembered for strongly opposing theories of evolution, which at the time were mainly proposed by Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.
Georges Cuvier believed there was no evidence for evolution, but rather evidence for cyclical creations and destructions of life forms by global extinction events such as deluges. source
Georges Cuvier believed there was no evidence for evolution, but rather evidence for cyclical creations and destructions of life forms by global extinction events such as deluges.
In 1830, Georges Cuvier and Geoffroy engaged in a famous debate, which is said to exemplify the two major deviations in biological thinking at the time – whether animal structure was due to function or morphology. source
In 1830, Georges Cuvier and Geoffroy engaged in a famous debate, which is said to exemplify the two major deviations in biological thinking at the time – whether animal structure was due to function or morphology.
Georges Cuvier's most famous work is Le Règne Animal (1817; English: The Animal Kingdom). source
Georges Cuvier's most famous work is Le Règne Animal (1817; English: The Animal Kingdom).
In 1819, Georges Cuvier was created a peer for life in honor of his scientific contributions. source
In 1819, Georges Cuvier was created a peer for life in honor of his scientific contributions.
Georges Cuvier's name is one of the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower. source
Georges Cuvier's name is one of the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower.
Georges Cuvier was born on August 23, 1769 in the town of Montbéliard in the Kingdom of Würtemberg. source
Georges Cuvier was born on August 23, 1769 in the town of Montbéliard in the Kingdom of Würtemberg.
Georges Cuvier died, age 62, of cholera on May 13, 1832 in Paris, and was buried in the Cemetery of the Father. source
Georges Cuvier died, age 62, of cholera on May 13, 1832 in Paris, and was buried in the Cemetery of the Father.
Georges Cuvier spent an additional four years at the Caroline Academy in Stuttgart, where he excelled in all of his coursework. source
Georges Cuvier spent an additional four years at the Caroline Academy in Stuttgart, where he excelled in all of his coursework.
So in July 1788, Georges Cuvier took a job at Fiquainville chateau in Normandy as tutor to the only son of the Comte d'Héricy, a Protestant noble. source
So in July 1788, Georges Cuvier took a job at Fiquainville chateau in Normandy as tutor to the only son of the Comte d'Héricy, a Protestant noble.
In this paper, Georges Cuvier analyzed skeletal remains of Indian and African elephants, as well as mammoth fossils, and a fossil skeleton known at that time as the 'Ohio animal'. source
In this paper, Georges Cuvier analyzed skeletal remains of Indian and African elephants, as well as mammoth fossils, and a fossil skeleton known at that time as the 'Ohio animal'.
In his second paper in 1796, Georges Cuvier described and analyzed a large skeleton found in Paraguay, which he would name Megatherium. source
In his second paper in 1796, Georges Cuvier described and analyzed a large skeleton found in Paraguay, which he would name Megatherium.
In 1799, Georges Cuvier succeeded Daubenton as professor of natural history in the Collège de France. In 1802, he became titular professor at the Jardin des Plantes. source
In 1799, Georges Cuvier succeeded Daubenton as professor of natural history in the Collège de France. In 1802, he became titular professor at the Jardin des Plantes.
In 1806, Georges Cuvier became a foreign member of the Royal Society, and in 1812, a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. source
In 1806, Georges Cuvier became a foreign member of the Royal Society, and in 1812, a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Georges Cuvier was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1822. source
Georges Cuvier was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1822.
From 1822 until his death in 1832, Georges Cuvier was Grand Master of the Protestant Faculties of Theology of the French University. source
From 1822 until his death in 1832, Georges Cuvier was Grand Master of the Protestant Faculties of Theology of the French University.
In a 1798 paper on the fossil remains of an animal found in some plaster quarries near Paris, Georges Cuvier states what is known as the principle of the correlation of parts. source
In a 1798 paper on the fossil remains of an animal found in some plaster quarries near Paris, Georges Cuvier states what is known as the principle of the correlation of parts.
In 1798 Georges Cuvier published his first independent work, the Tableau élémentaire de l'histoire naturelle des animaux. source
In 1798 Georges Cuvier published his first independent work, the Tableau élémentaire de l'histoire naturelle des animaux.
Georges Cuvier's researches on fish, begun in 1801, finally culminated in the publication of the Histoire naturelle des poisons. Cuvier's work on this project extended over the years 1828–1831. source
Georges Cuvier's researches on fish, begun in 1801, finally culminated in the publication of the Histoire naturelle des poisons. Cuvier's work on this project extended over the years 1828–1831.
Georges Cuvier was a Protestant and a believer in monogenism, who held that all men descended from the biblical Adam, although his position usually was confused as polygenist. source
Georges Cuvier was a Protestant and a believer in monogenism, who held that all men descended from the biblical Adam, although his position usually was confused as polygenist.
In 1826 Georges Cuvier was made grand officer of the Legion of Honour; he subsequently was appointed president of the council of state. source
In 1826 Georges Cuvier was made grand officer of the Legion of Honour; he subsequently was appointed president of the council of state.
Georges Cuvier served as a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres from 1830 to his death. source
Georges Cuvier served as a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres from 1830 to his death.
Cuvier Island in New Zealand was named after Georges Cuvier by D'Urville. source
Cuvier Island in New Zealand was named after Georges Cuvier by D'Urville.
