Charles Dupin (1784–1873) and His Influence on France: The Contri ...

Chapter 2

Dupin’s Background and Family

2.1. The Early Years

Although Dupin left the Nivernais when he went to the Ecole polytechnique, his origins and family history provide information about his formative years. His birthplace, Varzy, lies between the Val de Loire and the granite lands of the Morvan. It was in the neighbouring town of Clamecy that his father resided in the course of his professional duties. Dupin’s memory seems to have been eclipsed by that of his elder brother, Dupin aîné (eldest son), both at regional and national levels, probably because scientists have long been neglected by historians who have little or no knowledge of the sciences. In contrast, mathematicians have studied Charles Dupin in depth and have developed his work, but that is of interest to a limited number of readers. The Dupin of this study is little known. His childhood and adolescence coincided with a troubled period in French history. His family