Dominique Francois Jean Arago ( 1786 - 1853 )

Birth: Estagel, France (26 February 1786) Death: Paris, France (02 October 1853) Research Field: Physics, astronomy Career: Secretary to the Observatory, Paris; commissioned with Biot to complete meridional measurements; had to escape from Majorca, but was captured by Spanish corsair on his way to Marseilles, which he finally reached (1809); made geodetic observations with Biot on coasts of France, Scotland and England (1818); measured the second's pendulum at Leith and at Unst, Shetland; played a prominent part in the revolution (1830); refused to take the oath of allegiance to Louis Napoleon (1851); died of Bright's disease and dropsy Memberships: Royal Institute of France Membership: Foreign Member Election Date: 12/03/1818 Medals/Prizes: Copley Medal 1825; Rumford Medal 1850.