ARAGO, JEAN FRANÇOIS DOMINIQUE. – French physicist and astronomer, born in Estagel, near Perpignan, in the Pyrenees, on 27 February 1786, died in Paris on 2 October 1853. He made notable discoveries in physics, especially in optics (the theory of the polarization of light), electricity, and magnetism. His greatest merit perhaps remains that of having fully appreciated and encouraged Ampère and Fresnel in their research. He was an eloquent popularizer of science and enjoyed great fame during his lifetime. He published a treatise on popular astronomy and numerous biographies of scientists.
Today one could no longer repeat the eulogy addressed to him by Napoleon III: « Vous êtes l'axe, autour duquel se meut le monde scientifique ». But he always demonstrated a sincere and disinterested love of science and truth. He encouraged the research and experiments of young people. He sometimes had occasion to defend Catholic scholars who were unjustly attacked for their religious opinions.
After 1830 he devoted himself to politics and became French Minister of the Navy.