# René Louiche Desfontaines

> French botanist (1750-1833)

**Wikidata**: [Q545953](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q545953)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/René_Louiche_Desfontaines)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rene-louiche-desfontaines

## Summary
René Louiche Desfontaines was a French botanist (1750–1833) who specialized in the study of ferns, mosses, and fungi. He was a professor at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris and a member of several prestigious scientific academies, including the Royal Society and the French Academy of Sciences. His work contributed to the classification and documentation of botanical specimens, advancing the field of botany during his era.

## Biography
- Born: 1750 (exact date and place not specified)
- Nationality: French
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Systematic study of ferns, mosses, and fungi
- Employer(s): Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (Paris)
- Field(s): Botany, pteridology, bryology, mycology

## Contributions
Desfontaines made significant contributions to botanical research by:
- Publishing works on ferns, mosses, and fungi, aiding in their classification and documentation.
- Serving as a professor at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, where he taught botany and contributed to scientific collections.
- Being a member of multiple learned societies, including the Royal Society, French Academy of Sciences, and Académie Nationale de Médecine, which helped advance his research and reputation.

## FAQs
**What was René Louiche Desfontaines known for?**
Desfontaines was known for his expertise in botany, particularly in the study of ferns, mosses, and fungi. He contributed to the systematic classification of these plants and was a respected professor and member of several scientific academies.

**Where did René Louiche Desfontaines work?**
He worked at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, where he taught botany and contributed to scientific collections. He was also affiliated with the Royal Society, French Academy of Sciences, and other learned societies.

**What awards or recognitions did René Louiche Desfontaines receive?**
He was honored with membership in the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit, recognizing his contributions to science.

## Why They Matter
René Louiche Desfontaines played a crucial role in advancing botanical knowledge during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His work on ferns, mosses, and fungi helped establish foundational classifications in these fields. As a professor and member of prestigious scientific academies, he influenced other botanists and contributed to the systematic documentation of plant species. His research laid the groundwork for future studies in botany, ensuring that his work remains relevant in the field.

## Notable For
- Member of the Royal Society, French Academy of Sciences, and Académie Nationale de Médecine.
- Professor at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris.
- Recipient of the Legion of Honour for his contributions to science.
- Specialist in pteridology (fern study) and bryology (moss study).

## Body
### Early Life and Education
René Louiche Desfontaines was born in 1750 and was of French nationality. While his exact birthplace is not specified, he was educated in botany, though no formal institutions are mentioned in the source material.

### Career and Research
Desfontaines dedicated his career to the study of botany, with a particular focus on ferns, mosses, and fungi. He contributed to the systematic classification of these plants, publishing works that helped document and organize botanical specimens. His research was influential in the field of botany, particularly in the areas of pteridology and bryology.

### Professional Affiliations
Desfontaines was affiliated with the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, where he served as a professor and contributed to scientific collections. He was also a member of several prestigious learned societies, including the Royal Society, French Academy of Sciences, and Académie Nationale de Médecine. These affiliations enhanced his reputation and provided opportunities for collaboration with other scientists.

### Awards and Recognition
Desfontaines was honored with membership in the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit, recognizing his significant contributions to science. This award underscored his status as a respected figure in the botanical community.

### Legacy
René Louiche Desfontaines left a lasting impact on the field of botany through his research and teaching. His work on ferns, mosses, and fungi helped establish foundational classifications, and his role as a professor and member of scientific academies influenced other botanists. His contributions ensured that his research remains relevant in the study of plant life.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. LIBRIS. 2018
4. International Plant Names Index
5. [Source](https://www.academie-sciences.fr/pdf/eloges/desfontaines_vol3231.pdf)
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/bf2a4bf0-5f31-11de-b67e-b8a03c50a862)
8. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/85714c48-f762-11e1-a439-00145eb45e9a)
9. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/4ce8e3f9-2546-4af1-b28d-e2eadf05dfd4)
10. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/b5cdf794-8fa4-4a85-8b26-755d087bf531)
11. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/cd6e21c8-9e8a-493a-8a76-fbf7862069e5)
12. Bionomia
13. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
14. International Standard Name Identifier
15. Virtual International Authority File
16. CiNii Research
17. SNAC
18. Croatian Encyclopedia
19. www.academie-medecine.fr
20. La France savante
21. Base biographique
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Desfontaines%20René%20Louiche)
24. [Source](https://herbarium.bgbm.org/object/BW20120010)
25. [Source](https://w.jacq.org/W0045341)
26. [Source](https://tub.jacq.org/TUB007579)
27. [Source](https://je.jacq.org/JE00020499)
28. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/cafff6a5-1fa4-4a90-a2b3-f3db78b93d02)
29. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/d415c253-4d61-4459-9d25-4015b9084fb0)
30. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/7bd65a7a-f762-11e1-a439-00145eb45e9a)
31. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/7e380070-f762-11e1-a439-00145eb45e9a)
32. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/821cc27a-e3bb-4bc5-ac34-89ada245069d)
33. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/ee0e7875-8fbc-4cd8-a6a8-65f4a871e2ea)
34. [Bionomia](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/07a54454-87c7-4e1e-b2ba-88a9d98d534b)