Baudeau, Adrien Louis (1752-1823)

Transcript of 20 short essays on scientific subjects, mainly chemistry: preceded by a memoir of the Author-the whole written by his Nephew. Most of the essays deal with chemistry, and the author seems to have inclined to the views of the mediaeval alchemists, and to show interest in occult subjects. There are numerous marginal notes and inserted comments, assigned to the reputed author of the MS. or to his nephew.

1828

1 volume 40 pp. + 299 pp. + 3 ll. + 6 bl. ll. + 1 l. 4to. 21 x 16 cm. Original boards damaged.

Purchased 1935.

Baudeau is stated to have been an eccentric scientist, who after a life of dissipation died miserably at the Pitié in Paris. It is claimed that he was acquainted with the most eminent French savants of the second part of the 18th century, especially Lavoisier, with some of whose theories he disagrees [cf. pp. 70-89]. No record of Baudeau has been traced, and the MS. may quite possibly be a fiction of the unknown author to set out his own theories.

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).