Orbigny, Alcide Dessalines d' (1802–1857)

Alcide Dessalines d'Orbigny, (b. 6 September 1802; d. 30 June 1857), French naturalist and explorer. Orbigny, a native of Couëron, France, was commissioned by the Paris Museum of Natural History to explore much of South America between 1826 and 1834. He spent the first year collecting plants and animals in Brazil and Uruguay. From 1827 to 1828, Orbigny traversed the Paraná River through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. In 1828 the government of Argentina commissioned him to study the pampas in order to determine the region's agricultural value. After completing this assignment, Orbigny went to Patagonia to continue his studies in natural history. During his stay, he spent time with a native tribe and took part in an intertribal war. Afterward, he investigated the land, plants, and animals of Bolivia and Peru.

In 1834 Orbigny returned to France, where he won the grand prize of the Paris Geographical Society for his work. The French government published his research in nine volumes titled Voyage dans l'Amérique méridionale (1834–1847). In addition to its description of flora, fauna, and geography, it provides important ethnographical data on various Indian populations. Orbigny's travels through South America enabled him to produce a comprehensive map of the area in 1842. He died at Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, France.

See alsoPampa; Patagonia; Science.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Heinz Tobein, "Orbigny," in Dictionary of Scientific Biography, edited by C. G. Gillispie, vol. 10 (1974).

Additional Bibliography

Albarracín Millán, Juan. Una visión esplendorosa de Bolivia: Las exploraciones de Alcides d'Orbigny en Bolivia. La Paz: Plural Editores, 2002.

Arze Aguirre, René Danilo. El naturalista francés, Alcide Dessaline d'Orbigny en la visión de los bolivianos. Lima: Institut Français d'Etudes Andines, IFEA; La Paz: Plural Editores, 2002.

Baptista Gumucio, Mariano. Alcides d'Orbigny en la tierra prometida: Sus viajes por Bolivia, 1830–1833. La Paz: Anthropos, 1997.

Potelet, Jeanine. "En la huella de Humboldt: Naturalistas, comerciantes y artistas franceses en Brasil." Cuadernos Americanos 13:73 (January-February, 1999): 113-131.

                                   Josephine DeLorenzo