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Birth of Pierre Duhem
Pierre Duhem; physicist, mathematician, and philosopher of science, was born June 10th, 1861 in Paris, France. -
Doctoral Thesis
In 1884, Pierre Duhem, while attending Ecole Normale, submitted his first doctoral thesis on thermodynamic potential in physics and chemistry. This thesis defined the criterion for chemical reactions in terms of free energy, challenging a false theory Marcellin Berthelot proposed in the 1860s. Although Duhem's theory was indeed correct, Berthelot arranged to have his thesis rejected. Duhem later published the theory, despite the rejection, in 1886. -
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Teaching
Prior to submitting his second thesis, Pierre taught at Lille; lecturing on hydrodynamics, elasticity, and acoustics. These lectures were published in 1981. -
Second Thesis
Pierre Duhem proposes his second thesis on the theory of magnetism, Duhem chose a mathematical topic in hopes that this theory did not meet the same fate as the last. -
Maître de conférence
Duhem requested to move from Lille and was appointed maître de conférence (lecturer) at Rennes in October 1893. He realized that he was not equipped for his work, and requested to move once more. He had hoped to obtain a chair in Paris but alas, Marcellin Berthelot would not allow it due to the fear that his incorrect theories would be challenged. The two also had quarrels outside of the realm of science over religious issues. -
Passing Paris
Later in Pierre Duhem's career he was offered a position in Paris as a historian of science rather than a mathematical physicists, and denied it. He passed September 14th , 1916. -
Pierre Duhem Scientist, Historian and Philosopher (Video)
