Louis Nicolas de Clerville

Louis Nicolas de Clerville, aka Chevalier de Clerville, held many military positions during his life in France in 1610-1677. ^[1] This article begins by referencing his experiences with Pierre-Paul Riquet and the building of the Canal du Midi.

During his association with the canal, Clerville worked for Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister of finance under the rule of King Louis XIV of France. He served as Colbert's commissaire general des fortifications building ports, dry docks, and fortresses. ^[2]. Clerville verified Riquet's proposal for the canal. He served as Colbert's eyes and ears keeping track of Riquet efforts.

Clerville originated the ideas for the building a single large dam of the Laudot valley near Saint Ferreol. When this was accomplished, it became the Bassin de St. Ferréol. He also had the idea for digging the tunnel through the Cammazes ridge to connect the rigole de la montagne to the Bassin de St. Ferréol.

Clerville lost his standing with King Louis in 1673. ^[2]

Clerville died in 1677. ^[2]

Links

• Nicolas Janburg's article on Clerville
• French Wiki page on Clerville
• Planet TP article on Clerville
• Nicolas Janburg's article on Clerville
• French Struturae article on Canal du Midi showing Clerville's name

References

1. ^ "Nicolas Janburg's article on Clerville". http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://fr.structurae.de/persons/data/index.cfm%3Fid%3Dd003034&prev=/search%3Fq%3DLouis%2BNicolas%2Bde%2BClerville%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhgiVzcvPjXUo9XspT8NCEjB91iRCQ. Retrieved 7 October 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Mukerji, Chandra (2009). Impossible Engineering: Technology and Territoriality on the Canal du Midi. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-14032-2.