Pierre Sonnerat

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Pierre Sonnerat

Pierre Sonnerat (born August 18, 1748 - March 31, 1814 ) was a French natural scientist and explorer . Its official botanical author's abbreviation is “ Sonn. ".

Life

His father was Claude Sonnerat, who was married to Benoîte Poivre (1714–1787) since January 29, 1736. Both had four other children, Jeanne Sonnerat (1746–1809), Alexandre Sonnerat (* 1749), Benoîte Elisabeth Sonnerat (* 1751) and Pierrette Sonnerat (* 1753). Sonnerat was a nephew of the botanist Pierre Poivre .

He made several trips: from 1769 to 1772 to Southeast Asia , visiting the Philippines and Moluccas , and from 1774 to 1781 to India and China . Among other things, he was the first to describe the southern Chinese lychee tree .

In addition to observing nature, Sonnerat reported what he learned about the history, society and mythology of the countries visited. He described the Indian caste system , the practice of widow burning and sacrificial rituals. His mention of the Ravanastron , a simple Indian spit violin , led to the belief that stringed instruments were invented in India.

From 1774 he was a corresponding member of the Académie des sciences .

Dedication names

In his honor the Sonnerathuhn ( Gallus sonneratii ), the Sonnerat cuckoo ( Cacomantis sonneratii ) and the genus Sonneratia Lf of the plant family of the loosestrife (Lythraceae) were named.

Works

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Genealogy of the parents
  2. Relationships
  3. ^ List of members since 1666: Letter S. Académie des sciences, accessed on March 4, 2020 (French).