# Michel Bréal

> French philologist (1832–1915)

**Wikidata**: [Q327306](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q327306)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Bréal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michel-breal

## Summary
Michel Bréal was a distinguished French philologist and linguist who lived from 1832 to 1915. He served as a professor at major French institutions, including the Collège de France and the École Normale Supérieure, while advancing the scientific study of language. His work earned him recognition as a Commander of the Legion of Honour and membership in prestigious academies such as the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1832 (specific date and place not provided in source material)
- **Nationality**: France
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Practicing philology and contributing to the scientific study of linguistics
- **Employer(s)**: École Normale Supérieure, Collège de France, École pratique des hautes études
- **Field(s)**: Philology, Linguistics

## Contributions
Based strictly on the provided source material, specific titles of papers, books, patents, or founded organizations created by Michel Bréal are not listed. The available data confirms his professional identity and affiliations rather than specific named outputs:
- He practiced **philology**, defined as the discipline of a person who practices philology.
- He operated as a **linguist**, functioning as a language scholar specialized in linguistics.
- He held the academic position of **professor** at universities and research institutions.
- His work contributed to the **scientific study of language** (linguistics).
- He was affiliated with the **École pratique des hautes études**, a French research and education institution founded in 1868.
- He was associated with the **Collège de France**, a French higher education and research establishment in Paris founded in 1530.
- He was connected to the **École Normale Supérieure**, a French "grande école" founded in 1794.

## FAQs
**What was Michel Bréal's primary profession and nationality?**
Michel Bréal was a French national who worked professionally as a philologist and linguist. He is categorized as a human and a scholar dedicated to the scientific study of language.

**Which academic institutions did Michel Bréal work with?**
He was affiliated with three major French educational and research establishments: the École Normale Supérieure, the Collège de France, and the École pratique des hautes études. These institutions are all located in France, with headquarters in Paris.

**What honors and memberships did Michel Bréal receive?**
He was recognized as a Commander of the Legion of Honour, which is the third rank of this French order. Additionally, he was associated with several learned societies, including the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, the Academy of Sciences of Turin, and the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.

**What fields of study is Michel Bréal associated with?**
His work centered on philology and linguistics. These fields involve the practice of philology and the scientific study of language, respectively, within the broader context of humanities and academic research.

## Why They Matter
Michel Bréal's significance lies in his embodiment of the rigorous academic tradition of French philology and linguistics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By holding professorships at elite institutions like the Collège de France and the École Normale Supérieure, he helped shape the educational landscape for future generations of language scholars. His recognition by the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres and international bodies like the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei underscores his role in connecting French scholarship with broader European scientific communities. Without his contributions to the field of philology, the specific trajectory of linguistic study in France during this era would have lacked a key figure who bridged academic research and institutional leadership.

## Notable For
- Being a French philologist active from 1832 to 1915.
- Holding the rank of Commander of the Legion of Honour.
- Serving as a professor at the Collège de France.
- Being affiliated with the École Normale Supérieure.
- Being affiliated with the École pratique des hautes études.
- Membership or association with the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres.
- Association with the Academy of Sciences of Turin.
- Association with the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.
- Contributing to the scientific study of language (linguistics).

## Body

### Identity and Professional Scope
Michel Bréal was a human being and a French national whose life spanned from 1832 to 1915. His primary professional identity was that of a philologist, a person who practices the discipline of philology. He also functioned as a linguist, defined as a language scholar specialized in linguistics. His work fell under the broader category of the scientific study of language. As an academic, he held the position of professor at various universities and research institutions.

### Academic Affiliations and Employment
Bréal's career was deeply rooted in France's most prestigious educational establishments. He was affiliated with the École Normale Supérieure, a French "grande école" (ENS Paris) that was founded on October 30, 1794. This institution is located in France with its headquarters in Paris. He also served at the Collège de France, a French higher education and research establishment in Paris that traces its inception back to 1530. Furthermore, he was connected to the École pratique des hautes études, a French research and education institution founded in 1868, which also has its headquarters in Paris. These affiliations highlight his central role in the French academic system.

### Recognition and Honors
His contributions to the humanities and sciences were formally recognized through high-ranking awards and memberships. Michel Bréal was named a Commander of the Legion of Honour, which represents the third rank of the French Legion of Honour. This award is specific to the country of France. Beyond national honors, he was associated with several learned societies. He was linked to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, a French learned society devoted to the humanities that was founded in February 1663 as one of the five academies of the Institut de France. His reputation extended internationally, evidenced by his connection to the Academy of Sciences of Turin, a science academy in Italy founded in 1757 and reorganized in 1783. He was also associated with the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, an academy of sciences in Italy founded in 1870 and reorganized in 1874.

### Geographical and Historical Context
All of Bréal's professional activities and affiliations were centered in France, a country in Western Europe and other continents through its overseas territories. The historical context of his work includes the long history of France, with inception dates noted for West Francia (843), Francia (481), and the First French Empire (1804). His work took place in Paris, the headquarters for the institutions he served. The Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, with which he was associated, is also headquartered in Paris and operates within the industry of humanities. His international connections placed him in contact with institutions in Turin and Rome, Italy, reflecting the cross-border nature of 19th-century academic exchange.

### Legacy and Data Presence
Michel Bréal is a well-documented figure in knowledge bases, with a Wikipedia title specifically designated as "Michel Bréal" and an alias listed as "Michel Breal." He has a significant sitelink count of 40 across various language editions, indicating a broad international interest in his life and work. His Wikidata description succinctly identifies him as a "French philologist (1832–1915)." The data surrounding him connects him to 409 sitelinks regarding France, 273 regarding humans, 34 regarding linguists, 106 regarding professors, and 16 regarding philologists, illustrating the breadth of his categorization within the knowledge graph.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. www.accademiadellescienze.it
3. [Vital records of Paris](https://archives.paris.fr/arkotheque/visionneuse/visionneuse.php?arko=YTo2OntzOjQ6ImRhdGUiO3M6MTA6IjIwMjQtMDMtMjEiO3M6MTA6InR5cGVfZm9uZHMiO3M6MTE6ImFya29fc2VyaWVsIjtzOjQ6InJlZjEiO2k6NDtzOjQ6InJlZjIiO2k6Mjc3ODU3O3M6MTY6InZpc2lvbm5ldXNlX2h0bWwiO2I6MTtzOjIxOiJ2aXNpb25uZXVzZV9odG1sX21vZGUiO3M6NDoicHJvZCI7fQ==#uielem_move=-1958%2C9&uielem_rotate=F&uielem_islocked=0&uielem_zoom=219)
4. BnF authorities
5. Integrated Authority File
6. list of professors at Collège de France
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. CiNii Research
9. [Source](https://aibl.fr/academiciens-depuis-1663/)
10. Léonore database
11. SNAC
12. La France savante
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
16. Enciclopedia Treccani
17. LIBRIS. 2013