About Émile Bégin
Lived 1802 – 1888 (aged 86). Émile Bégin was a French physician, librarian, historian and surgeon.
Emile-Auguste Begin (24 April 1802 - 31 May 1888), also named as Émile Bégin, was a French physician and historian. He was a member of the Academy of Metz and a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.
Biography Begin was born at Metz on 24 April 1802 to François-Nicolas Bégin, a prominent physician, and Marie Victorine Ledoux. Begin received his medical training at the University of Strasbourg.
During the Siege of Paris (1870–71), he treated the wounded, which earned him the Legion of Honor . In 1874, he was appointed assistant librarian at the Bibliothèque nationale de France a position that allowed him to continue his historical research. In 1881, Émile Bégin was appointed chief librarian at the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Émile Bégin died on 31 May 1888, after visiting his hometown annexed by the German Empire . He is buried in the cemetery of Montrouge in Paris.
Historical work Bégin was a prolific writer and published many historical works, including a History of Lorraine in six volumes, and a History of the Kingdom of Austrasia in four volumes. Bégin also published historical essays and notes on Metz, Nancy, Neufchâteau. He wrote academic biographies of various historical figures, including Napoleon. He also published medical works.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Émile Bégin's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Émile Bégin's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Émile Bégin?
French physician (1803–1888)
When was Émile Bégin born?
Émile Bégin was born on 24 April 1802 in Metz.
When did Émile Bégin die?
Émile Bégin died on 31 May 1888 in Paris.
What was Émile Bégin's occupation?
Émile Bégin was a physician, librarian, historian and surgeon.
What nationality was Émile Bégin?
Émile Bégin was French.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Emile-Auguste Begin
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Émile Bégin. https://biography.guide/emile-begin/
MLA: "Émile Bégin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/emile-begin/.
Chicago: "Émile Bégin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/emile-begin/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:16 UTC