Pierre Maurice Marie Duhem

Birth

Jun 19, 1861

Born June 10th, 1861 in Paris, France

Professor

1864

Professor of theoretical physics at the University of Bordeaux

Began his studies at École Normale

Aug 2, 1882

Published first article on Electrochemical Cells, Submited doctoral thesis and acquired a license in mathematics.

1884

While still a student at Ecole Normale, Duhem published his first of voluminous articles. “Commentaire aux principes de la thermodynamique” Journal de mathématiques pures et appliquées 8: (1892): 269; 9: (1893):293; 10 (1893): 207.

Professor at University of Bordeaux

Oct 13, 1884

Pierre requested a move from Rennes to Paris, however Berthelot had the move blocked so that Duhem could not further elaborate how Berthelot's thesis was incorrect.

Rejected thesis of Berthelot

1886

Twenty years prior, Berthelot published his thesis on thermodynamic potential in physics. Berthelot influenced scientists around him to reject the thesis of Duhem, even though Duhem's thesis proved to be correct in the long run.

Professor at Lille

1887

Pierre Duhem taught hydrodynamics, elasticity and acoustics during his tenure at Lille. He continued to teach here until 1893.

Published thesis on Magnetism

1888

Duhem went on to publish a second thesis on magnetism, however he still suffered consequences from the backlash and unjust rejection headed up by Berthelot

Married Adèle Chayet

1890

While teaching at Lille, he married Adèle Chayet. She died two years later while giving birth to their second child. His second daughter also died.

Académie des Sciences

Jul 30, 1900

Duhem became a member of Académie des Sciences (Science Academy). Duhem once again requested a move to Paris, but it again was rejected thanks to the influences of Berthelot.

Wrote "Physical Theory, Its Aim and Structure"

1906

Pierre's most important work on Philosophy. This book was the result of Duhem having fervent debates on multiple aspects of philosophy of science. La théorie physique: Son objet – sa structure, 2nd ed. Paris: Marcel Rivière & Cie, 1906; reprinted Paris: Vrin, 1981.

Co-Wrote "To Save the Phenomena: An Essay on the Idea of Physical Theory from Plato to Galileo"

1908

Cowritten with Stanley Jaki, this publication questions and critiques Greek thought, Arabic science, medieval Christian scholasticism, and, finally, the astronomers of the Renaissance ΣΩZEIN TA ΦAINOMENA: Essai sur la notion de théorie physique de Platon à Galilée. Paris: A. Hermann et Fils, 1908. Translated by Edmund Doland and Chaninah Maschler as To Save the Phenomena: An Essay on the Idea of Physical Theory from Plato to Galileo. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1969.

Wrote "Studies of Leonardo da Vinci"

1913

Although Pierre Duhem felt that here was not much scientific work achieved in the middle ages, Duhem worked with Joranus Nemorarius and other scientists to study the development of Renaissance mechanics from 1913. Reprint and Translation: Duhem, Pierre. Etudes Sur Leonard De Vinci. Editions Des Archives Contemporaines, 1984.

Medieval cosmology: Theories of infinity, place, time, void, and the plurality of worlds

Sep 13, 1916

Duhem worked on this publication from 1913 until the time of his death, although he only completed 2 of 5 volumes. Medieval Cosmology: Theories of Infinity, Place, Time, Void, and the Plurality of Worlds. Edited and translated by Roger Ariew. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. Abridged English translation of parts of Le Système du Monde.

Death

Sep 14, 1916

Died September 14th, 1916 in Cabrespine, France. Cabrespine honored the work of Duhem by placing him to rest at the center stone tomb in the town's cemetery. The impacts of his life and studies are still felt today, which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvrMfQslyUI