# Philippe de La Hire

> French mathematician and astronomer (1640-1718)

**Wikidata**: [Q371890](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q371890)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_de_La_Hire)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/philippe-de-la-hire

## Summary
Philippe de La Hire was a French mathematician, astronomer, architect, and naturalist who lived from 1640 to 1718. He was a prominent member of the French Academy of Sciences and the Académie Royale d'Architecture, contributing significantly to the scientific and architectural landscape of 17th and early 18th-century France. His work spanned multiple disciplines, including celestial observation, mathematical theory, and the design of buildings.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 18, 1640 (Place of birth not specified in source material)
- **Nationality**: France (Citizenship: Q142)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Contributions to mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and natural history; membership in the French Academy of Sciences and the Académie Royale d'Architecture
- **Employer(s)**: Collège de France (affiliated); French Academy of Sciences (member); Académie Royale d'Architecture (member)
- **Field(s)**: Mathematics, Astronomy, Architecture, Natural History, Professor

## Contributions
Philippe de La Hire's specific contributions include his active membership in the French Academy of Sciences, founded in 1666, and the Académie Royale d'Architecture, founded in 1671. He was affiliated with the Collège de France, a major higher education and research establishment in Paris. His work period spanned from 1660 to 1718, during which he operated as a professor, mathematician, astronomer, architect, and naturalist. While specific publications or buildings are not named in the provided text, his roles indicate significant involvement in the scientific and architectural communities of his time. The lunar mountain Mons La Hire is named in his honor, signifying his impact on astronomy.

## FAQs
**What were Philippe de La Hire's primary professional roles?**
He served as a mathematician, astronomer, architect, naturalist, and professor. These roles reflect his diverse expertise across scientific and design disciplines in France.

**Which major French institutions was Philippe de La Hire associated with?**
He was a member of the French Academy of Sciences and the Académie Royale d'Architecture. Additionally, he was affiliated with the Collège de France in Paris.

**When did Philippe de La Hire's professional career take place?**
His work period began in 1660 and concluded in 1718, coinciding with his lifespan from 1640 to 1718.

**How is Philippe de La Hire remembered in the field of astronomy?**
He is honored by the naming of Mons La Hire, a solitary lunar mountain located in the western Mare Imbrium.

**What is the significance of his membership in the French Academy of Sciences?**
The Academy, founded in 1666 by Louis XIV to encourage scientific research, counted him as a member, highlighting his status as a leading scientist of his era.

## Why They Matter
Philippe de La Hire matters as a multifaceted intellectual who bridged the gap between theoretical science and practical application in architecture and natural history. His membership in the French Academy of Sciences placed him at the center of France's scientific renaissance, helping to shape the direction of research in mathematics and astronomy during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. By contributing to the Académie Royale d'Architecture, he influenced the built environment of France, demonstrating the era's integration of mathematical precision with architectural design. Without his diverse contributions, the interdisciplinary approach of French science and architecture during this period would have been less robust.

## Notable For
- **Multidisciplinary Expertise**: Recognized as a mathematician, astronomer, architect, naturalist, and professor simultaneously.
- **Academy Membership**: Member of the French Academy of Sciences (founded 1666) and the Académie Royale d'Architecture (founded 1671).
- **Academic Affiliation**: Associated with the Collège de France, a premier institution for higher education and research.
- **Lunar Honor**: The lunar feature Mons La Hire is named after him, commemorating his astronomical work.
- **Long Career**: Maintained an active professional life for 58 years, from 1660 to 1718.
- **French National Identity**: A citizen of France during a period of significant scientific and cultural development.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Philippe de La Hire was born on March 18, 1640. He was a citizen of France, a country in Western Europe. He lived until April 21, 1718. His identity is recorded in various databases with unique identifiers such as P213 (0000000121209047), P214 (12346702), and P227 (117573752). He is also known by aliases including Philippe de La Hyre, Philippe De La Hyre, Lahire le fils, Lahyre le fils, and fils Lahir.

### Professional Roles and Fields
Philippe de La Hire held multiple professional titles. He was a mathematician, defined as a person with extensive knowledge of mathematics. He was an astronomer, a scientist who studies celestial bodies. He served as a professor, holding an academic position at universities and research institutions. He was also an architect, trained to plan and design buildings and oversee their construction. Additionally, he was a naturalist, a person who studies plants, animals, and natural history, particularly in the field.

### Institutional Affiliations
He was a member of the French Academy of Sciences, a learned society founded on December 22, 1666, by Louis XIV at the suggestion of Jean-Baptiste Colbert. This institution aimed to encourage and protect French scientific research. He was also a member of the Académie Royale d'Architecture, the French Royal Academy of Architecture, which was founded on December 30, 1671. Furthermore, he was affiliated with the Collège de France, a higher education and research establishment in Paris founded in 1530.

### Career Timeline
His professional work period started on January 1, 1660, and ended on January 1, 1718. This 58-year span covered his entire adult life and career. During this time, he contributed to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and natural history.

### Legacy and Recognition
Philippe de La Hire is remembered for his contributions to science and architecture. The Mons La Hire, a solitary lunar mountain in the western Mare Imbrium, is named in his honor. This naming serves as a permanent tribute to his work in astronomy. His life and work are documented in numerous encyclopedic entries and databases, with a sitelink count of 29 across various platforms.

### Data and Identifiers
His existence is verified through a wide array of identifiers. These include the Library of Congress Control Number (P244: n85012920), the GND identifier (P227: 117573752), and the BNF identifier (P268: 121592847). He is also listed in the Open Library (P648: OL1019554A) and has a Wikidata ID of Q458717. His Wikipedia title is "Philippe de La Hire." Other identifiers include P245 (500297978), P269 (030111633), P373 (Philippe de La Hire), and many others, ensuring his presence in global knowledge bases.

### Geographic Context
Philippe de La Hire lived and worked in France. France is a country located primarily in Western Europe, with overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. The capital is Paris, where the Collège de France and the Académie Royale d'Architecture are headquartered. The country's official language is French, and its currency is the Euro. France is a semi-presidential republic and a founding member of the European Union.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. RKDartists
4. list of professors at Collège de France
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
8. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
9. Structurae
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. La France savante
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=La%20Hire%20Philippe%20de)
14. CERL Thesaurus
15. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
16. Enciclopedia Treccani