Auguste Arthur de la Rive
Encyclopedia
Auguste Arthur de la Rive (October 9, 1801 – November 27, 1873) was a Swiss
physicist.
De la Rive was born in Geneva
, as son of Charles Gaspard de la Rive (1770-1834). He studied medicine at Edinburgh
, and after practising for a few years in London
, became professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at the academy of Geneva in 1802 and rector in 1823. At the age of twenty-two, he was appointed to the chair of natural philosophy
in the academy of Geneva. For some years after his appointment he devoted himself specially, with Francois Marcet (1803-1883), to the investigation of the specific heat of gases, and to observations for determining the temperature of the earth's crust. Electrical studies, however, engaged most of his attention, especially in connexion with the theory of the voltaic cell and the electric discharge in rarefied gases. His researches on the last-mentioned subject led him to form a new theory of the aurora borealis. In 1840 he described a process for the electro-gilding
of silver and brass, for which in the following year he received a prize of 3000 francs from the French Academy of Sciences
.
On August 18, 1826, he married writer Jeanne-Mathilde Duppa (March 14, 1808 - August 18, 1850).
Between 1854 and 1858 he published a Traite de l'electricite theorique et appliquee, which was translated into several languages. De la Rive's birth and fortune gave him considerable social and political influence. He was known for his hospitality to literary and scientific men, and for his interest in the welfare and independence of his native country. In 1860, when the annexation of Savoy and Nice
had led the Genevese to fear French aggression, de la Rive was sent by his fellow-citizens on a special embassy to England, and succeeded in securing a declaration from the English government, which was communicated privately to that of France, that any attack upon Geneva would be regarded as a cases belli
. On the occasion of this visit the university of Oxford
conferred upon de la Rive the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law
. When on his way to pass the winter at Cannes
he died suddenly at Marseilles on the 27th of November 1873.
His son, Lucien De La Rive, born in Choulex
on the 3rd of April 1834, published papers on various mathematical and physical subjects, and with Edouard Sarasin carried out investigations on the propagation of electric waves.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
physicist.
De la Rive was born in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, as son of Charles Gaspard de la Rive (1770-1834). He studied medicine at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, and after practising for a few years in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, became professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at the academy of Geneva in 1802 and rector in 1823. At the age of twenty-two, he was appointed to the chair of natural philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
in the academy of Geneva. For some years after his appointment he devoted himself specially, with Francois Marcet (1803-1883), to the investigation of the specific heat of gases, and to observations for determining the temperature of the earth's crust. Electrical studies, however, engaged most of his attention, especially in connexion with the theory of the voltaic cell and the electric discharge in rarefied gases. His researches on the last-mentioned subject led him to form a new theory of the aurora borealis. In 1840 he described a process for the electro-gilding
Gilding
The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
of silver and brass, for which in the following year he received a prize of 3000 francs from the French Academy of Sciences
French Academy of Sciences
The French Academy of Sciences is a learned society, founded in 1666 by Louis XIV at the suggestion of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, to encourage and protect the spirit of French scientific research...
.
On August 18, 1826, he married writer Jeanne-Mathilde Duppa (March 14, 1808 - August 18, 1850).
Between 1854 and 1858 he published a Traite de l'electricite theorique et appliquee, which was translated into several languages. De la Rive's birth and fortune gave him considerable social and political influence. He was known for his hospitality to literary and scientific men, and for his interest in the welfare and independence of his native country. In 1860, when the annexation of Savoy and Nice
Treaty of Turin
The Treaty of Turin concluded on March 24, 1860 is the instrument by which the Duchy of Savoy and the County of Nice were annexed to France.-Background:...
had led the Genevese to fear French aggression, de la Rive was sent by his fellow-citizens on a special embassy to England, and succeeded in securing a declaration from the English government, which was communicated privately to that of France, that any attack upon Geneva would be regarded as a cases belli
Casus belli
is a Latin expression meaning the justification for acts of war. means "incident", "rupture" or indeed "case", while means bellic...
. On the occasion of this visit the university of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
conferred upon de la Rive the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law
Doctor of Civil Law
Doctor of Civil Law is a degree offered by some universities, such as the University of Oxford, instead of the more common Doctor of Laws degrees....
. When on his way to pass the winter at Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
he died suddenly at Marseilles on the 27th of November 1873.
His son, Lucien De La Rive, born in Choulex
Choulex
Choulex is a municipality of the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland.-Geography:Choulex has an area, , of . Of this area, or 73.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 9.5% is forested...
on the 3rd of April 1834, published papers on various mathematical and physical subjects, and with Edouard Sarasin carried out investigations on the propagation of electric waves.