Buffon, Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de, << boo FOHN, zhawrzh lwee luh KLAIR, kawnt duh >> (1707-1788), was a French naturalist whose writings helped advance the study of biology and geology. His 44-volume Histoire naturelle, generale et particuliere (Natural History, general and particular) discussed a wide range of topics. These included the origin and development of the Earth and its living things. While preparing Histoire naturelle, Buffon performed some of the first studies on fossils. His work led to the development of evolution as a scientific theory. Buffon was one of the first scientists to separate science completely from religious beliefs. A man of many interests, he wrote essays on such topics as mathematics, optical physics, and forestry.
Buffon was born on Sept. 7, 1707, in Montbard, near Dijon, France. After studying at the University of Angers, he became a member of the French Royal Academy of Sciences in 1734. In 1739, he was appointed director of the Royal Gardens in Paris. This appointment included supervision over the royal museums and animal menageries. Buffon wrote much of Histoire naturelle while serving as director. He died on April 16, 1788.
