The Tomb of Laplace

Abstract

To those interested in the records and memorials of men of science, Paris, no less than London, presents a most attractive field for exploration. The Sorbonne, the Natural History Museum, the Observatory, the schools, the streets, the squares, and the churches abound with statues and monuments, while here and there can be traced the footsteps of such as Pascal, Lavoisier, and Pasteur. No spot, however, recalls such a wealth of historic associations as that of the famous Pere Lachaise cemetery, where, to mention only those famed in science, lie Delambre, Arago, Bichat, Cuvier, Charles, Brongniart, St. Hilaire, Comte, Chasles, and a score more. It was here also Laplace was buried, and his funeral discourses were pronounced by Darn, Biot, and Poisson. Over hisgrave was erected a marble monument ornamented with a star and bearing the names of his great works.