MacTutor
LAMBERT ADOLPHE JACQUES QUETELET was born at Gand on the 22nd of February 1796; he was educated at the lyceum of his native town, and early showed that nature had endowed him not only with a vivid imagination, but also with the precious gift of indomitable perseverance. He carried away all the prizes of his school, and at the same time wrote poetry which attracted considerable attention. At an exhibition of pictures at the Lyceum of Gand, in 1812, a drawing of his gained the first prize, and M. Cornelissen, the head of the institution, spoke of his pupil as having honoured them, "par de grands succès dans tous les genres."
Having lost his father when he was only seven years old, and his family not being any longer able to support him, he was forced to enter as a master the institution for public instruction at Audenarde. Here he remained a year, teaching mathematics, drawing, and grammar; he was then given a mastership in the lyceum of his native town. But in 1815 the lyceum was converted, by order of the Municipal Council, into a college, and Quetelet was appointed professor of mathematics; he received his nomination on his nineteenth birthday. There was nothing brilliant in the lot which had fallen to him; but his existence was row assured, heaven had answered his vows; he was now at liberty to occupy himself with art, with literature, with science; he had time to draw, play on the flute, read Pascal, make verses, and study Newton.
In 1819 he passed his examinations for the degree of doctor of science, and amongst the themes which he sent in on the conferring of his degree was a Latin essay upon the question whether aëroliths are projected from the Moon.
In 1819 he was nominated to a professorship at the Athenæum of Brussels, and was elected almost immediately a member of the Belgian Academy. Amongst his pupils at the Athenæum were, we believe, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and the late Prince Consort.
In 1823 Quetelet proposed to found an observatory in Belgium; his special aptitudes pointed him ont as the best person to complete the enterprise; and, thanks to the initiative of M. Falck, then Minister of the Interior, he was commissioned to go to Paris to study the practice of astronomy at the observatory there, and to visit the principal establishments of the kind in Europe. He obtained introductions to the most distinguished men of the age, Arago, Humboldt, La Place, Herschel, Sebumacher, Gauss, Olbers, and others.
While waiting the completion of his plan, he, in conjunction with M. Garnier, established the periodical La Correspondance mathématique et physique, for which the most eminent men of the age were willing to write. This publication continued without intermission till 1839, when Quetelet was obliged to resign its supervision on account of the pressing nature of his engagements as perpetual secretary to the Academy.
The erection of the Observatory was decided upon on the 8th of June 1826. It was constructed according to the plans of Quetelet, but was not finished till after many vicissitudes, occasioned principally by the political events of 1830. He had been appointed to the directorship in 1828, but the Observatory was not completed till 1832. He then immediately commenced his labours of which it would occupy too much space to give even a list. They included meteorology, terrestrial physics, astronomy, the collection of materials for the Annales de l'Observatoire and for the Annuaires, and the other special works in which he has brought together the results of his researches.
In the early days of the Observatory all the attention of Quetelet was directed towards meteorology and terrestrial physics. The elements of these two sciences had been almost totally neglected in Belgium, and his first desire was to correct this grave error, a task in which he perfectly succeeded. M. Quetelet has given results of his persevering observations in his works, Sur le Climat de la Belgique and Sur la Physique du Globe, and thus the basis of the meteorology of Belgium was established.
From 1841 to 1845 the Observatory of Brussels was the centre of a vast meteorological network, which comprised more than eighty stations in Europe and in the north of Asia. Its director published the results of the great undertaking, with a large number of plates, showing the course and rapidity of the atmospheric waves. But perhaps the most remarkable works of Quetelet were the papers which he published on his collections of observations of the periodic phenomena of plants and animals. These gave an impulse to similar studies throughout the whole of Europe, and he may be looked upon as the founder of a new science.
At the Observatory he also made an uninterrupted series of observations of the elements of terrestrial magnetism.
In 1853 Quetelet was appointed president of the Conférence Maritime, held at Brussels on the proposition of Lieutenant (afterwards Captain) Maury. Its purpose was to establish a system of uniform observations at sea.
In 1835 the three principal astronomical instruments of the Observatory were set up; they appear to have been a meridional instrument by Gambey, a mural circle, and an equatoreal by Troughton and Simms. The astronomical labours of the Observatory were commenced in 1836, though the small staff of the establishment and the attention given to meteorological observations did not permit of a great field of work. Quetelet occupied himself at first in fixing precisely the geographical position of the Observatory, and similar investigations were afterwards renewed when, in 1853, the difference of longitude between Brussels and Greenwich was determined by means of telegraphic signals, in 1857 between Brussels and Berlin, and in 1868 between Brussels and Leyden.
The observations made from 1837 to 1839 furnish, in the annals of the Observatory, a catalogue of 666 stars. From 1848 these observations have been undertaken with renewed ardour; but all the regularity that Quetelet desired could not be insured till 1857. From this year a great work has been carried on till the present day; we refer to a catalogue of 10,000 stars still in preparation, but which will soon be published, completing the monument raised to astronomical science by Adolphe Quetelet and his son M. Ernest Quetelet, who during nearly eighteen years has shared the work of the observatory, and thanks to his devotion, his labours have not been interrupted by the death of his father.
Adolphe Quetelet contributed greatly to the progress of the study of shooting-stars, about the nature of which little was then known. He continued to observe them to the end of his life, and he first called attention to the periodicity of the flights on the 10th of August, and stimulated astronomers of his own and other countries to make a great number of observations which, taken together, have prepared the way for the remarkable theories now formed. We are indebted to him for very valuable catalogues of the principal appearances of these meteors; and also for conscientious and precise researches on their frequency and on the several peculiarities they present.
The direction of the establishment confided to his care did not hinder him from devoting himself to studies of another order, which show the variety of his powers. We have spoken already of the eminent position Le obtained in the world of science by his statistical works: it will be sufficient for us to quote his treatise on La Physique sociale to remind our readers of the happy application of mathematics to statistical questions. He formulated the now well-known loi binomiale, and insisted, more especially in his last years, on its remarkable generality. He invited the first Statistical Congress, which was held in Brussels in 1853, and was appointed its president. He was also president of the Commission of Statistics of the kingdom of Belgium. His works on social statistics brought him in 1872 the title of Associate of the Section of Moral and Political Sciences of the Institute of France. He had long been a corresponding member of this Academy.
He was member of the Royal Academy of Belgium, as we have said, from 1820, and he held the presidency of this learned body from 1832 to 1835, and then succeeded M. Dewez as perpetual secretary of its three divisions, science, literature, and the fine arts.
He inserted numerous memoirs in the publications of the Academy, and the Bulletins of each séance are, so to speak, crowded with his articles. He commenced by papers on pure mathematics; but his later memoirs are on the various subjects which we have analysed in speaking of Quetelet as director of the Observatory, and as president of the Commission of Statistics. One can see by inspection of the Bulletins of the Academy with what care Quetelet registered all the remarkable phenomena which presented themselves during his long career. Thanks especially to him, this publication will be always consulted with profit. The same may also be predicted of the Annuaires and the Annales of the Observatory by all those who wish closely to study the aurora borealis, shooting-stars, bolides, storms, earth-quakes, and such phenomena, upon which attention is drawn so strongly at the present moment, and of which, for the most part, a complete theory has not yet been formed.
The correspondence which Quetelet had with the official heads of science in different countries contributed greatly to extend the relations of the Academy and to enrich its Bulletins.
In the last years of his life, when his age warned him in vain to take repose, Quetelet undertook again to realize a magnificent plan; we speak of that series of works that he successively published from 1864, and which it was his intention should be an epitome of the work of his whole life. In 1864 appeared L'Histoire des Sciences mathématiques et physiques chez les Belges; in 1866, Les Sciences mathématiques et physiques chez les Belges du Commencement du XIXe siècle; in 1867, the Météorologie de la Belgique comparée à celle du Globe; in 1869, La Physique sociale, ou Essai sur le Développement des Facultés de l'Homme; in 1870, lastly, L'Anthropométrie, ou Mesure des différentes Facultés de l'Homme. This did not include all the task that Quetelet imposed upon himself, and if death had not overtaken him, he would have completed the series by a new edition of his Physique du Globe, published in 1861, and by a treatise on Astronomy.
We will not endeavour to enumerate the learned societies of which Quetelet was a member; the list would be too long. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Astronomical Society on January 11, 1828.
Notwithstanding the numerous occupations which claimed every moment of his time, Quetelet was of easy access, and always gave the kindest reception to those who wished to speak with him on subjects connected with his studies. He could discern and would encourage merit, and many learned men will remember the support they received from him in the commencement of their career; so that he has left behind him deep regrets as well as feelings of profound gratitude.
He died on February 17, 1874, and Belgium deplored its greatest scientific luminary.
Having lost his father when he was only seven years old, and his family not being any longer able to support him, he was forced to enter as a master the institution for public instruction at Audenarde. Here he remained a year, teaching mathematics, drawing, and grammar; he was then given a mastership in the lyceum of his native town. But in 1815 the lyceum was converted, by order of the Municipal Council, into a college, and Quetelet was appointed professor of mathematics; he received his nomination on his nineteenth birthday. There was nothing brilliant in the lot which had fallen to him; but his existence was row assured, heaven had answered his vows; he was now at liberty to occupy himself with art, with literature, with science; he had time to draw, play on the flute, read Pascal, make verses, and study Newton.
In 1819 he passed his examinations for the degree of doctor of science, and amongst the themes which he sent in on the conferring of his degree was a Latin essay upon the question whether aëroliths are projected from the Moon.
In 1819 he was nominated to a professorship at the Athenæum of Brussels, and was elected almost immediately a member of the Belgian Academy. Amongst his pupils at the Athenæum were, we believe, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and the late Prince Consort.
In 1823 Quetelet proposed to found an observatory in Belgium; his special aptitudes pointed him ont as the best person to complete the enterprise; and, thanks to the initiative of M. Falck, then Minister of the Interior, he was commissioned to go to Paris to study the practice of astronomy at the observatory there, and to visit the principal establishments of the kind in Europe. He obtained introductions to the most distinguished men of the age, Arago, Humboldt, La Place, Herschel, Sebumacher, Gauss, Olbers, and others.
While waiting the completion of his plan, he, in conjunction with M. Garnier, established the periodical La Correspondance mathématique et physique, for which the most eminent men of the age were willing to write. This publication continued without intermission till 1839, when Quetelet was obliged to resign its supervision on account of the pressing nature of his engagements as perpetual secretary to the Academy.
The erection of the Observatory was decided upon on the 8th of June 1826. It was constructed according to the plans of Quetelet, but was not finished till after many vicissitudes, occasioned principally by the political events of 1830. He had been appointed to the directorship in 1828, but the Observatory was not completed till 1832. He then immediately commenced his labours of which it would occupy too much space to give even a list. They included meteorology, terrestrial physics, astronomy, the collection of materials for the Annales de l'Observatoire and for the Annuaires, and the other special works in which he has brought together the results of his researches.
In the early days of the Observatory all the attention of Quetelet was directed towards meteorology and terrestrial physics. The elements of these two sciences had been almost totally neglected in Belgium, and his first desire was to correct this grave error, a task in which he perfectly succeeded. M. Quetelet has given results of his persevering observations in his works, Sur le Climat de la Belgique and Sur la Physique du Globe, and thus the basis of the meteorology of Belgium was established.
From 1841 to 1845 the Observatory of Brussels was the centre of a vast meteorological network, which comprised more than eighty stations in Europe and in the north of Asia. Its director published the results of the great undertaking, with a large number of plates, showing the course and rapidity of the atmospheric waves. But perhaps the most remarkable works of Quetelet were the papers which he published on his collections of observations of the periodic phenomena of plants and animals. These gave an impulse to similar studies throughout the whole of Europe, and he may be looked upon as the founder of a new science.
At the Observatory he also made an uninterrupted series of observations of the elements of terrestrial magnetism.
In 1853 Quetelet was appointed president of the Conférence Maritime, held at Brussels on the proposition of Lieutenant (afterwards Captain) Maury. Its purpose was to establish a system of uniform observations at sea.
In 1835 the three principal astronomical instruments of the Observatory were set up; they appear to have been a meridional instrument by Gambey, a mural circle, and an equatoreal by Troughton and Simms. The astronomical labours of the Observatory were commenced in 1836, though the small staff of the establishment and the attention given to meteorological observations did not permit of a great field of work. Quetelet occupied himself at first in fixing precisely the geographical position of the Observatory, and similar investigations were afterwards renewed when, in 1853, the difference of longitude between Brussels and Greenwich was determined by means of telegraphic signals, in 1857 between Brussels and Berlin, and in 1868 between Brussels and Leyden.
The observations made from 1837 to 1839 furnish, in the annals of the Observatory, a catalogue of 666 stars. From 1848 these observations have been undertaken with renewed ardour; but all the regularity that Quetelet desired could not be insured till 1857. From this year a great work has been carried on till the present day; we refer to a catalogue of 10,000 stars still in preparation, but which will soon be published, completing the monument raised to astronomical science by Adolphe Quetelet and his son M. Ernest Quetelet, who during nearly eighteen years has shared the work of the observatory, and thanks to his devotion, his labours have not been interrupted by the death of his father.
Adolphe Quetelet contributed greatly to the progress of the study of shooting-stars, about the nature of which little was then known. He continued to observe them to the end of his life, and he first called attention to the periodicity of the flights on the 10th of August, and stimulated astronomers of his own and other countries to make a great number of observations which, taken together, have prepared the way for the remarkable theories now formed. We are indebted to him for very valuable catalogues of the principal appearances of these meteors; and also for conscientious and precise researches on their frequency and on the several peculiarities they present.
The direction of the establishment confided to his care did not hinder him from devoting himself to studies of another order, which show the variety of his powers. We have spoken already of the eminent position Le obtained in the world of science by his statistical works: it will be sufficient for us to quote his treatise on La Physique sociale to remind our readers of the happy application of mathematics to statistical questions. He formulated the now well-known loi binomiale, and insisted, more especially in his last years, on its remarkable generality. He invited the first Statistical Congress, which was held in Brussels in 1853, and was appointed its president. He was also president of the Commission of Statistics of the kingdom of Belgium. His works on social statistics brought him in 1872 the title of Associate of the Section of Moral and Political Sciences of the Institute of France. He had long been a corresponding member of this Academy.
He was member of the Royal Academy of Belgium, as we have said, from 1820, and he held the presidency of this learned body from 1832 to 1835, and then succeeded M. Dewez as perpetual secretary of its three divisions, science, literature, and the fine arts.
He inserted numerous memoirs in the publications of the Academy, and the Bulletins of each séance are, so to speak, crowded with his articles. He commenced by papers on pure mathematics; but his later memoirs are on the various subjects which we have analysed in speaking of Quetelet as director of the Observatory, and as president of the Commission of Statistics. One can see by inspection of the Bulletins of the Academy with what care Quetelet registered all the remarkable phenomena which presented themselves during his long career. Thanks especially to him, this publication will be always consulted with profit. The same may also be predicted of the Annuaires and the Annales of the Observatory by all those who wish closely to study the aurora borealis, shooting-stars, bolides, storms, earth-quakes, and such phenomena, upon which attention is drawn so strongly at the present moment, and of which, for the most part, a complete theory has not yet been formed.
The correspondence which Quetelet had with the official heads of science in different countries contributed greatly to extend the relations of the Academy and to enrich its Bulletins.
In the last years of his life, when his age warned him in vain to take repose, Quetelet undertook again to realize a magnificent plan; we speak of that series of works that he successively published from 1864, and which it was his intention should be an epitome of the work of his whole life. In 1864 appeared L'Histoire des Sciences mathématiques et physiques chez les Belges; in 1866, Les Sciences mathématiques et physiques chez les Belges du Commencement du XIXe siècle; in 1867, the Météorologie de la Belgique comparée à celle du Globe; in 1869, La Physique sociale, ou Essai sur le Développement des Facultés de l'Homme; in 1870, lastly, L'Anthropométrie, ou Mesure des différentes Facultés de l'Homme. This did not include all the task that Quetelet imposed upon himself, and if death had not overtaken him, he would have completed the series by a new edition of his Physique du Globe, published in 1861, and by a treatise on Astronomy.
We will not endeavour to enumerate the learned societies of which Quetelet was a member; the list would be too long. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Astronomical Society on January 11, 1828.
Notwithstanding the numerous occupations which claimed every moment of his time, Quetelet was of easy access, and always gave the kindest reception to those who wished to speak with him on subjects connected with his studies. He could discern and would encourage merit, and many learned men will remember the support they received from him in the commencement of their career; so that he has left behind him deep regrets as well as feelings of profound gratitude.
He died on February 17, 1874, and Belgium deplored its greatest scientific luminary.
Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet's obituary appeared in Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society 35:4 (1875), 176-180.