Person Sorbiere; Samuel (1615 - 1670); physician and author Sorbiere Samuel physician and author Samuel de 1615 - 1670 French Male Saint Ambroix, Languedoc, France, Europe 17 September 1615 16150917 Paris, France, Europe 9 April 1670 16700409

Clergyman, Roman Catholic; Physician Education: Educated by his uncle, Samuel Petit; Paris; MD Career: Practised in Holland (until 1650); published French translation of Thomas More's 'Utopia' (1643), of Thomas Hobbes' 'De Cive' (1649), and of Hobbes' 'De Corpore Politico, or the Elements of Law' (1652); Director of the College d'Orange; raised as a Protestant, he converted to Catholicism (1653) and became a priest; travelled to Rome (1655 and 1667); Historiographer to Louis XIV (1660); held a number of minor benefices Memberships: Montmor Academy (1650s; founding member) Sorbiere played an instrumental part in the correspondence on natural philosophy in the 17th century and he was in regular contact with figures such as Marin Mersenne. He promoted the physical and philosophical work of Thomas Hobbes and Pierre Gassendi through aid in publication and translation. His own most notable work is his 'Relation d'un voyage en Angleterre' (1664) regarding his stay in England in 1663, when was also admitted to the Royal Society. His perceived criticism of English society and culture led to somewhat of an international scandal as well as Thomas Sprat's (FRS 1663) responding 'Observations upon Monsieur de Sorbier's Voyage into England' (1665). Sorbiere was held under arrest in France for four months and Charles II did not allow the Society to send any more responses. His membership in the Society was also questioned by Council in 1666. Original Fellow 22/06/1663 Contributed to observations and experiments (1663) Sources: Bulloch's Roll; NBG References: Balz, A G A. 1930. 'Samuel Sorbière (1615-1670)', in The Philosophical Review, vol. 39(6), pp. 573-586 Faure-Fremiet, E. 1966. 'Les Origines de l'Academie des Sciences de Paris', in Notes and Records, vol. 21, pp. 20-31 Sarasohn, L T. 2004. 'Who was then the gentleman?: Samuel Sorbière, Thomas Hobbes, and the Royal Society', in History of Science, vol. 42, pp. 211-232 Notes: The election date is Sorbiere's election date into the Society after the grant of the second charter in April 1663. All Fellows admitted in a two-month window after this charter, until 22 June 1663, are considered Original Fellows. 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: R64167 RCN: R64168 RCN: R64169 17 September 1615 - 9 Apr 1670 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 08/02/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA5681 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 28/03/2023 RS_NET\JonathanB Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/46767474 99632002-c4e3-4bc1-940e-e471034dcd0a