Pierre Jean Édouard Desor

Pierre Jean Édouard Desor in 1863

Pierre Jean Édouard Desor (13 February 1811, Friedrichsdorf, Grand Duchy of Hesse – 23 February 1882) was a Swiss geologist. He associated in his early years with Louis Agassiz, studying palaeontology and glacial phenomena, and together with James David Forbes ascended the Jungfrau in 1841. He was in a guided party on the first ascent of the Lauteraarhorn on 8 August 1842.

Desor afterwards became professor of geology at the academy of Neuchâtel, continued his studies on the structure of glaciers, but gave special attention to the study of Jurassic Echinoderms. He also investigated the old lake-habitations of Switzerland, and made important observations on the physical features of the Sahara. Having inherited considerable property he retired to Combe Varin in Val-de-Travers. He died in Nice on 23 February 1882. His chief publications were: Synopsis des Echinides fossiles (1858), Aus Sahara (1865), Der Gebirgsbau der Alpen (1865), Die Pfahlbauten des Neuenburger Sees (1866), Echinologie Helvetique (2 vols., 1868–1873, with P. de Loriol).

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

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Name	Desor, Pierre Jean Edouard
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Date of birth	13 February 1811
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Date of death	23 February 1882
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