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Geneva and the Alps: Horace-Bénédict de Saussure

Blanc whose summit he rea-
n the season of avalanches ched on 3 August 1787.
There he tested the boiling
in the Alps and elsewhere,
point of water, the tempera-
with its escalating toll of ture of the snow and the
human tragedy and death, the
pulse of his guides. With a
work of Horace-Bénédict de
considerable amount of
Saussure, Swiss physicist,
scientific equipment in addi-
geologist, meteorologist, and tion to sustenance for him-
early Alpine explorer comes
self and his caravan of eigh-
to the fore. He is described
teen guides, he did not travel
as the most renowned light. As well as tents and
Genevese scholar of the
material, his list of apparel is
eighteenth century, and the
precisely detailed and leng-
'founder of climbing'. More
thy, and his experiments
than 200 years after his death
were manifold.
he is also the subject of a
new publication by author
Legacy and sport
Albert V. Carozzi, professor
in geology at the University Horace-Bénédict Saussure
of Illinois, USA (edition
died at his home in Conches,
Slatkine, Geneva). Geneva, on 22 January 1799
Reformation. As a bourgoise scientific instruments which at the age of 59. With other
family, the name quickly
travelled
Saussure carry his name. They include notables, he is buried in the
in
Germany, Italy and England, spread in Geneva and a mineral known as
wrote extensively and is abroad. Its most famous sons Saussurite, and measure- Cemetery of Plainpalais, Rue
des Rois, Geneva. In addi-
famous for his monumental were inventor and pioneer ments of atmospheric humi- tion to being remembered in
dity, thermometer, anemo-
(1740-
four-volumes on Voyages Horace-B énédict Chamonix, there is a comme-
dans Les Alpes (1779-96). A 1799) and Ferdinand (1857- meter, hair hygrometer and
morative plaque at the place
pioneer in the study of mine- 1913). probably the first electrome- of his former home now
ralogy, botany, geology and ter.
Born in Conches, near
Saussure's
meteorology, named rue de Saussure. He is
also remembered with a per-
Travels in the Alps is prece- Geneva, on 17 February Chamonix and Mont Blanc
manent exhibition at the
ded by an essay on the natu- 1740 Horace-Bénédict ente- History of Science Museum,
ral history of the Geneva red the public school at six The name Saussure is syno- and the College de Saussure,
region, a work recognised as years old. In 1754 he conti- nymously linked to the
in Geneva.
laying the foundations of nued education in the exploration and conquest of
modem geology and introdu- Academy (University) of Mont Blanc that made the
cing the word geology into Geneva. In 1759, aged nine- town of Chamonix famous His experiments and achie-
vements in the Alps are said
the scientific nomenclature. teen, he completed his study the world over. to have launched mountai-
at the Academy presenting neering in the contemporary
From 1768 Horace-Bénédict one Dissertatio physica of "I couldn't believe my eyes; sporting sense. Cemeteries
Saussure began his geologi- igne. In 1762 he became it seemed to be a dream bear witness to the demise of
cal journeys when he crossed professor of philosophy and when, at my feet, I saw those
climbers who, in the foot-
the highest mountain range natural sciences at the majestic summits, those awe-
steps of Horace-Bénédict
in Europe on fourteen occa- Academy in Geneva (and some peaks .....said by Saussure, came from coun-
sions by several routes. The rector 1774-1775), where he Saussure on his first visit to tries and continents in pur-
range of the Alps extends founded the Societe pour Chamonix in 1760. He was suit of the Alpine sport,
some 800 km (497 miles) in 1'Avancement des Arts. In determined he would climb
many of whom stayed for
an arc roughly East-West 1765 he married Albertine to the top or be responsible eternity.
through France, Switzerland, Boissier who is known to for its being climbed.
Italy and Austria, and rises to have expressed displeasure Saussure offered prize ITA MARGUET
4,807 (15,771 feet) at Mont at her husband's frequent and money for the first ascent of
Blanc near the west end. protracted absences in his Mont Blanc. It was claimed Note: All sources of informa-
professional and scientific twenty-five years later in tion used are acknowledged
in the preparation of this
Profile in brief pursuits. 1786 by a Chamonix doctor,
article.
Michel-Gabriel Paccard and
Originally from Lorraine in Horace-Bénédict Saussure is his porter, Jacques Balmat.
France, the Saussures came associated with many other
to Switzerland seeking refu- inventions or improvements It culminated in Saussure's
ge during the Calvin in a wide range of fields and own ascent of the Mont
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