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Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé

1846 – 1937

Paleontologist

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About Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé

Lived 1846 – 1937 (aged 90). Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé was a French paleontologist, malacologist, geologist, botanist and zoologist.

Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé (; 16 June 1846 – 19 January 1937), also known as Henri Douvillé, was French paleontologist, geologist and malacologist. Douvillé worked as a mining engineer in Bourges and Limoges (1874), afterwards serving as professeur suppléant of paleontology at the École des Mines. From 1881 to 1911 he was a professor of paleontology at the École des Mines.

Contributions and distinctions For over four decades he was tasked with organizing the collection of paleontology at the École des Mines, and because of his efforts, it became a primary focus of paleontological research in France. Within this time period (1871-1883), he also made contributions to the geological map of France.

Douvillé performed stratigraphical and paleontological research from fossils reported by geologists in the Middle East, North Africa, Central America, Madagascar, etc. He is credited for providing determinations of numerous paleontological species, and was a leading authority on ammonites.

In 1881 he was appointed president of the Société géologique de France, and in 1907 became a member of the Académie des Sciences. Also he was: winner of the "Prix Fontannes" (1898). officer of the "Légion d'Honneur" (1905). Médaille Gaudry of the Société géologique de France (1912).

Written works Sur quelques Brachiopodes du terrain jurassique, (1886). Mission Scientifique en Perse par J. de Morgan 3(4), (1904). Le Crétacé et l'Eocéne du Tibet central, (1916).

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
École polytechnique, Mines ParisTech
Positions held
President of the Geological Society of France, Professor
Awards
Knight of the Legion of Honour; Officer of the Legion of Honour; Commander of the Legion of Honour; Officier de l'Instruction publique; Officier d'académie
Also known as
Henri Douvillé, Douvillé, Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douville, Henri Douville, Douville

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé?

paleontologist (1846–1937)

When was Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé born?

Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé was born on 16 June 1846 in Toulouse.

When did Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé die?

Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé died on 19 January 1937 in Paris, 7th arrondissement of Paris.

What was Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé's occupation?

Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé was a paleontologist, malacologist, geologist, botanist and zoologist.

What nationality was Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé?

Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé

· Wikidata: Q3130997

· DBpedia: Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé. https://biography.guide/joseph-henri-ferdinand-douville/

MLA: "Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joseph-henri-ferdinand-douville/.

Chicago: "Joseph Henri Ferdinand Douvillé." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joseph-henri-ferdinand-douville/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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