# Armand David > French Catholic priest, zoologist, and botanist (1826–1900) **Wikidata**: [Q346939](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q346939) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armand_David) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/armand-david ## Summary Armand David was a French Catholic priest, zoologist, and botanist best known for his extensive scientific expeditions in China during the 19th century. He discovered numerous animal and plant species, including Père David's deer (*Elaphurus davidianus*), and made significant contributions to natural history through his detailed observations and collections. ## Biography - **Born**: September 7, 1826 - **Died**: November 10, 1900 - **Nationality**: French - **Occupation**: Catholic priest, zoologist, botanist, missionary, explorer, ornithologist - **Known for**: Discovering and documenting new species in China, including Père David's deer, Père David's rock squirrel, and various bird and plant species - **Field(s)**: Zoology, botany, ornithology, natural history - **Aliases**: Père David, Father David, Jean-Pierre-Armand David ## Contributions Armand David conducted several scientific expeditions in China, where he discovered and documented numerous species previously unknown to Western science. His most notable discovery was Père David's deer (*Elaphurus davidianus*), a large deer native to China's river valleys. He also identified Père David's rock squirrel (*Sciurotamias davidianus*), several bird species such as *Alcippe davidi* and *Pterorhinus davidi*, and plant species like *Buddleja davidii* and *Ulmus davidiana*. His work significantly expanded the understanding of Asian flora and fauna, and many species were named in his honor. ## FAQs **What species did Armand David discover?** Armand David discovered several species, including Père David's deer (*Elaphurus davidianus*), Père David's rock squirrel (*Sciurotamias davidianus*), and various birds and plants such as *Alcippe davidi*, *Pterorhinus davidi*, *Buddleja davidii*, and *Ulmus davidiana*. **What was Armand David's occupation?** Armand David was a French Catholic priest, zoologist, botanist, missionary, explorer, and ornithologist. **When did Armand David live?** Armand David lived from September 7, 1826, to November 10, 1900. **Why is Armand David significant in natural history?** Armand David is significant for his extensive scientific expeditions in China, where he discovered and documented numerous species, greatly contributing to the field of natural history. ## Why They Matter Armand David's work had a profound impact on the fields of zoology and botany. His discoveries in China introduced many new species to Western science, expanding the global understanding of biodiversity. His detailed observations and collections provided valuable data for future research and conservation efforts. Without his contributions, the knowledge of Asian flora and fauna would be significantly less comprehensive. ## Notable For - Discovering Père David's deer (*Elaphurus davidianus*) - Identifying Père David's rock squirrel (*Sciurotamias davidianus*) - Documenting various bird species, including *Alcippe davidi* and *Pterorhinus davidi* - Contributing to the discovery of plant species such as *Buddleja davidii* and *Ulmus davidiana* - Conducting extensive scientific expeditions in China - Being a Catholic priest, zoologist, botanist, missionary, explorer, and ornithologist ## Body ### Early Life and Education Armand David was born on September 7, 1826, in France. He became a Catholic priest and later pursued studies in natural history, particularly zoology and botany. ### Scientific Expeditions Armand David is best known for his scientific expeditions in China during the 19th century. His travels took him through various regions of China, where he collected and documented numerous species of animals and plants. His most famous discovery was Père David's deer, a large deer native to the river valleys of China. This species was previously unknown to Western science and became a significant addition to the field of zoology. ### Discoveries and Contributions During his expeditions, David discovered and documented several other species, including: - **Père David's rock squirrel** (*Sciurotamias davidianus*), a squirrel species native to China. - **Bird species** such as *Alcippe davidi* and *Pterorhinus davidi*. - **Plant species** like *Buddleja davidii* (a flowering plant) and *Ulmus davidiana* (a species of elm). His work significantly expanded the understanding of Asian flora and fauna, and many species were named in his honor. ### Legacy Armand David's contributions to natural history have had a lasting impact. His detailed observations and collections provided valuable data for future research and conservation efforts. His discoveries introduced many new species to Western science, greatly enhancing the global understanding of biodiversity. Without his work, the knowledge of Asian flora and fauna would be significantly less comprehensive. ### Recognition Armand David is recognized for his extensive scientific expeditions and discoveries. His name is associated with several species, and his work continues to be celebrated in the fields of zoology and botany. His legacy as a Catholic priest, zoologist, botanist, missionary, explorer, and ornithologist remains significant in the history of natural science. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. International Plant Names Index 4. Integrated Authority File 5. Czech National Authority Database 6. Bionomia 7. International Standard Name Identifier 8. general catalog of BnF 9. Léonore database 10. La France savante 11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 12. [Source](https://data.rbge.org.uk/herb/E00010113) 13. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/7e380070-f762-11e1-a439-00145eb45e9a)