# Charles Marie de La Condamine

> French explorer, geographer, and mathematician (1701-1774)

**Wikidata**: [Q26681](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26681)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Marie_de_La_Condamine)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-marie-de-la-condamine

## Summary
Charles Marie de La Condamine was a French explorer, geographer, and mathematician who lived from 1701 to 1774. He is primarily known for his extensive contributions to science and exploration, including his participation in the 18th-century French Geodesic Missions to present-day Ecuador.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1701
- **Died:** 1774
- **Nationality:** Kingdom of France
- **Known for:** Participation in French Geodesic Missions; contributions to mathematics, geography, and botany.
- **Field(s):** Mathematics, Geography, Astronomy, Botany, Writing.
- **Affiliations:**
  - Académie Française
  - Royal Society (Fellow)
  - French Academy of Sciences
  - Académie de Stanislas (Nancy, France)
  - Russian Academy of Sciences
  - Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences
  - 12th Cuirassier Regiment

## Contributions
Charles Marie de La Condamine contributed to the development of the *Encyclopédie* as one of the encyclopédistes during its publication run from June 1751 to December 1765. He led the French Geodesic Missions, an 18th-century expedition to present-day Ecuador, which advanced geographical and scientific knowledge. His work as a botanical collector resulted in the gathering of plant specimens for scientific research. His legacy is physically commemorated through celestial naming: the small lunar crater "La Condamine" and the asteroid "8221 La Condamine."

## FAQs
**What were Charles Marie de La Condamine's primary professions?**
He was a mathematician, geographer, explorer, astronomer, botanist, writer, and botanical collector.

**Which academic societies was Charles Marie de La Condamine affiliated with?**
He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the Académie Française, the French Academy of Sciences, the Académie de Stanislas, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences.

**What military connection did Charles Marie de La Condamine have?**
He was affiliated with the 12th Cuirassier Regiment, an armoured cavalry regiment of the French Army.

## Why They Matter
Charles Marie de La Condamine played a critical role in the Enlightenment-era scientific community, bridging the gap between theoretical mathematics and practical exploration. His participation in the French Geodesic Missions helped define the understanding of the Earth's shape and geography. As an encyclopédiste, he contributed to one of the most significant intellectual projects of the 18th century, the *Encyclopédie*, which helped disseminate knowledge and revolutionary ideas across Europe. His recognition by multiple major academies (French, Russian, Prussian, Royal Society) underscores his widespread influence and the high regard in which his scientific peers held his work.

## Notable For
- Serving as a contributor (encyclopédiste) to the *Encyclopédie* between 1751 and 1765.
- Leading the French Geodesic Missions to present-day Ecuador in the 18th century.
- Being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
- Membership in the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language.
- Having a lunar crater ("La Condamine") and an asteroid ("8221 La Condamine") named after him.
- Affiliation with the 12th Cuirassier Regiment.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Charles Marie de La Condamine was a human and a subject of the Kingdom of France. Born in 1701 and passing away in 1774, he lived during a pivotal time in European intellectual history. He is identified by the alias "Cond." in some records.

### Scientific and Professional Roles
La Condamine held a diverse array of professional roles. He was recognized as a mathematician, a person with extensive knowledge of mathematics, and a geographer, a scholar who studies geography. His scientific pursuits extended to astronomy, where he studied celestial bodies, and botany, where he worked as a botanical collector, gathering plants for scientific research. Additionally, he was a writer, using written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works.

### The French Geodesic Missions
A defining achievement of La Condamine's career was his involvement in the French Geodesic Missions. This 18th-century expedition took him to present-day Ecuador. The mission was a significant scientific endeavor aimed at measuring the Earth's shape and size.

### Contributions to the Encyclopédie
La Condamine was an encyclopédiste, contributing to the development of the *Encyclopédie*. This monumental work was published from June 1751 to December 1765. His involvement placed him among the key intellectuals of the French Enlightenment.

### Academic Affiliations and Recognition
La Condamine was widely recognized by the leading scientific and literary societies of his time. He was a member of the Académie Française, the pre-eminent council for the French language, founded in 1635. He was also associated with the French Academy of Sciences, a learned society founded in 1666 by Louis XIV to encourage and protect the spirit of French scientific research.

His influence extended beyond France. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, an English learned society for science founded in 1660. He was also a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences (active 1700–1946), and the Académie de Stanislas in Nancy, France, a learned society founded in 1750.

### Military Service
La Condamine held a connection to the military through the 12th Cuirassier Regiment. This unit was an armoured cavalry (tank) regiment of the French Army, originally established in 1668.

### Celestial Commendations
La Condamine's legacy is permanently recorded in the solar system. There is a small lunar crater named "La Condamine." Additionally, the asteroid "8221 La Condamine" is named in his honor.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Plant Names Index
4. datos.bne.es
5. [academie-francaise.fr](http://www.academie-francaise.fr/les-immortels/charles-marie-de-la-condamine?fauteuil=23&election=29-11-1760)
6. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
7. Library of the World's Best Literature
8. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/b5cdf794-8fa4-4a85-8b26-755d087bf531)
9. Outre-Mers. 1969
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. CiNii Research
13. academie-francaise.fr
14. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
15. SNAC
16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
17. BnF authorities
18. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
19. La France savante
20. [French Academy of Sciences](https://www.academie-sciences.fr/pdf/dossiers/Condamine/archives_Condamine_oeuvre.htm)
21. [Huma-Num](https://rhpst.huma-num.fr/items/show/179)
22. Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography
23. [Encyclopædia Britannica](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/326266/Charles-Marie-de-La-Condamine)
24. GeneaStar
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27. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=La%20Condamine%20Charles%20Marie%20de)
28. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index10.html)
29. Shakeosphere
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31. Enciclopedia Treccani