Buffon, George Louis Leclerc

George Louis Leclerc (1707-1788), a celebrated French naturalist. Educated at Dijon for the law, but permitted by an intelligent father to follow his inclination for natural history. After traveling in England and Italy, Buffon was admitted to membership in the Academy, a French learned society, and, later, was appointed to a position in the royal garden and museum. Buffon conceived the project of a Natural History in French which should popularize the science. In this he succeeded. His history passed through several editions and was translated into foreign languages. Many condensed editions were sold. Buffon's Natural History in a single volume, with extended accounts of the cat, dog, and other domestic animals, was a household favorite in England and America fifty years ago. Scientific men have found fault with Buffon for inaccuracy, claiming that he preferred to write brilliantly rather than accurately, and certainly he was an entertaining writer. A complete edition of the history in French, 1749-1788, filled thirty-six volumes. His History of Quadrupeds is considered the best single part of the work.