Person Petit; Pierre (? 1594 - 1677); engineer and astronomer Petit Pierre engineer and astronomer Peter Petitt, Pierre ? 1594 - 1677 French Male Montlucon, France, Europe 8 December 1594 15941208 Lagny-sur-Marne, France, Europe 20 August 1677 16770820

Physics Astronomy Career: Commissaire provincial de l'artillerie (1633); visited ports in France and Italy; friend of Blaise Pascal, with whom he did experiments on vacuums; Intendant-general des fortifications (1649) Petit was acquainted with polymath Marin Mersenne and knew Blaise Pascal and Descartes. In his work, he emphasised the importance of accurate experimental observation and he supported the establishment of a royal observatory, in order to keep of with astronomical advancements across Europe. His main work 'Dissertation sur la nature des comètes' along with his studies on magnetic declination were praised by fellow scholars. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society despite England and France being at war, the War of Devolution. Fellow 04/04/1667 Henry Oldenburg Acted as an occasional correspondent to the Society (1660s); Sent papers on comets (1664 and 1665) Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DSB; Biographie Universelle; Hunter Notes: Altname from Hunter. Later birth date of 31 December 1598 from Hunter and DSB. International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 RCN: 58770 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH6685 8 Dec 1594 or 31 Dec 1598 - 20 Aug 1677 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 30/05/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA4518 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 28/03/2023 RS_NET\JonathanB Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/88079267 72bba026-262d-4b12-a395-86bc285b3e2d