Mathieu de Dombasle
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26 February 1777
Mathieu de Dombasle | |
|---|---|
 Mathieu de Dombasle, designed by David d'Angers | |
| Born | Christophe-Joseph-Alexandre Mathieu de Dombasle 26 February 1777 Nancy, France |
| Died | 27 December 1843 (aged 66) Nancy, France |
| Occupation | Agronomist |
| Relatives | Charles de Meixmoron de Dombasle (grandson)[1] |
Mathieu de Dombasle (1777-1843) was a French agronomist. He was one of the first French farmers to grow beetroots to producer sugar, until he went bankrupt. He invented the Dombasle plough, and he established a model farm in Roville-devant-Bayon. He was the author of many books about agriculture.
Mathieu de Dombasle was born on 26 February 1777 in Nancy, France.[2] He served in the French Army.[3]
Career
De Dombasle grew beetroots in Monplaisir near Nancy to produce sugar as early as 1809.[4] He was one of the first farmers to grow beetroots for this purpose in France.[4] Five years later, in 1814, he went bankrupt, as the new tariffs made sugarcane more profitable.[4] He subsequently wrote several essays about sugar.[4]
De Dombasle invented the "Dombasle plough," based on the works of Albrecht Thaer.[4] He organized agrarian fairs, where he demonstrated the plough.[4]
De Dombasle was the co-founder of the Société centrale d’agriculture with Antoine Bertier, and he served as its founding president from 1820 to 1825.[4] Meanwhile, the two men established a model farm in Roville-devant-Bayon in 1821-1822.[3][4]
De Dombasle became an Officer of the Legion of Honour.[3]
Death and legacy
De Dombasle died on 27 December 1843 in Nancy, France.[2] His grandson, Charles de Meixmoron de Dombasle, who became a painter, edited three of his books and published them posthumously in 1861-1862.
