# Louis Daguerre

> French scientist, artist and photographer (1787–1851)

**Wikidata**: [Q131405](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131405)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Daguerre)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/louis-daguerre

## Summary
Louis Daguerre was a French scientist, artist, and photographer who lived from 1787 to 1851. He is best known for his pioneering work in photography, including the development of the daguerreotype process and the creation of the 1838 work "Boulevard du Temple." His contributions to art and science earned him prestigious honors such as the Legion of Honour and a permanent inscription among the 72 names on the Eiffel Tower.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 18, 1787 (or July 10, 1787)
- **Died:** July 10, 1851 (or July 12, 1851)
- **Nationality:** French
- **Known for:** Photography, painting, chemistry, and the invention of the daguerreotype
- **Affiliations:** Hippolyte Sebron (French painter)
- **Field(s):** Science, Art, Photography, Chemistry, Graphic Arts

## Contributions
- **Boulevard du Temple (1838):** Created and developed this early daguerreotype, a seminal photographic work.
- **Historique et Description des Procédés du Daguerréotype et du Diorama (1839):** Authored and published this book detailing the processes of the daguerreotype and the diorama.
- **Daguerreotype Process:** Pioneered the chemical and mechanical processes required for early photography, leveraging his background as a chemist and artist.

## FAQs
**What is Louis Daguerre famous for?**
Louis Daguerre is famous for being a French scientist, artist, and photographer who invented the daguerreotype process, one of the first forms of photography.

**What awards did Louis Daguerre receive?**
He received the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts (civil class), was named an Officer and Knight of the Legion of Honour, and was selected as one of the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower.

**What are the dates of Louis Daguerre's birth and death?**
Records indicate he was born on either November 18, 1787, or July 10, 1787, and died on either July 10, 1851, or July 12, 1851.

**What geographic features are named after Louis Daguerre?**
A crater on the Moon called "Daguerre" and a glacier in Antarctica known as "Daguerre Glacier" are named after him.

**Who was Louis Daguerre affiliated with?**
He was affiliated with Hippolyte Sebron, a French painter who lived from 1801 to 1879.

## Why They Matter
Louis Daguerre matters because he bridged the gap between science and art to create one of the most impactful technological advancements of the 19th century: photography. His development of the daguerreotype provided the first reliable method for capturing permanent images, fundamentally changing how humanity documents history, art, and daily life. His inclusion among the 72 names on the Eiffel Tower signifies his critical role in honoring France between 1789 and 1889 through industrial and scientific innovation. Furthermore, his legacy is immortalized not only in his works but in celestial and geographic landmarks, underscoring the global and lasting reach of his contributions.

## Notable For
- **Invention of the Daguerreotype:** A pioneering photographic process.
- **"Boulevard du Temple":** A notable daguerreotype created in 1838.
- **72 Names on the Eiffel Tower:** Inscribed as a scientist, engineer, or industrialist who honored France between 1789 and 1889.
- **Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts:** Recipient of this Prussian/German civil order.
- **Legion of Honour:** Held the ranks of Officer and Knight in this French order.
- **Namesakes:** The "Daguerre" crater on the Moon and the "Daguerre Glacier" in Antarctica.
- **Publication:** Author of "Historique et Description des Procédés du Daguerréotype et du Diorama" (1839).

## Body

### Identity and Nationality
Louis Daguerre, also known by aliases such as Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, Louis Jacques Mande Dagueree, and simply Daguerre, was a French national. As a citizen of France, he was connected to a Western European nation that operates as a semi-presidential republic with a significant global cultural, political, and economic influence. France, his home country, is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, known for its motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité."

### Career and Occupations
Daguerre's professional life was defined by a diverse range of occupations that spanned the arts and sciences. He was recognized as:
- A **photographer**, a person who takes photographs.
- A **painter**, an artist who practices painting.
- A **chemist**, a scientist trained in the study of chemistry.
- A **graphic artist**, an artist who makes lines on paper through various drawing and print techniques.
- A **scientist** and **artist**.

His work often intersected these fields, combining chemical expertise with artistic vision to advance the medium of photography.

### Notable Works and Publications
One of Daguerre's most significant concrete outcomes is the **Boulevard du Temple**, a daguerreotype created in 1838. This work is recognized as a landmark in the history of photography.

In 1839, he published the book **"Historique et Description des Procédés du Daguerréotype et du Diorama."** This publication provided a detailed historical and technical description of the processes behind both the daguerreotype and the diorama, serving as a foundational text for early photographers.

### Awards and Recognition
Daguerre received high honors for his contributions to science and the arts:
- **Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts:** He was awarded the civil class of this order, which was established on May 31, 1842, and is associated with Prussia and Germany.
- **Legion of Honour:** He held the rank of Officer (the second rank) and Knight (the first rank) of this French order.
- **Eiffel Tower Inscription:** He was selected as one of the **72 names on the Eiffel Tower**. This list, inscribed in 1887, honors scientists, engineers, and industrialists who honored France between 1789 and 1889.

### Legacy and Namesakes
The impact of Daguerre's work is reflected in the geographic and celestial features named in his honor:
- **Daguerre:** A crater located on the Moon.
- **Daguerre Glacier:** A glacier situated in Antarctica.

### Associated Figures and Entities
Daguerre was professionally affiliated with **Hippolyte Sebron** (1801–1879), a French painter. His work is also contextually related to the **Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities**, an academy of sciences founded in 1759, though the specific nature of this relationship is not detailed in the provided source material.

### Dates of Life
Historical records provide varying specific dates for his birth and death:
- **Birth:** November 18, 1787, or July 10, 1787.
- **Death:** July 10, 1851, or July 12, 1851.

## References

1. BnF authorities
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8. [Source](https://www.toureiffel.paris/fr/le-monument/tour-eiffel-et-sciences)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Virtual International Authority File
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13. Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. RKDartists
14. [Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre. Léonore database](http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/leonore_fr?ACTION=CHERCHER&FIELD_1=COTE&VALUE_1=LH/646/53)
15. Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
16. SNAC
17. European Theatre Architecture DB
18. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
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20. Daguerre, Louis(-Jacques-Mandé)
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23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
24. [Source](https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp06792/antoine-claudet?role=art)
25. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/documenta_6)
26. CONOR.SI
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