With the development and spread of science in France during the 1850s, the public was looking for publications that would explain the latest scientific innovations at that time in an easy-to-understand and enjoyable manner. Louis Figuier (1819–1894), a French science writer, rose to prominence with his numerous books published from the 1850s in France. Prior to achieving success and fame, he had been interested in photography since the late 1840s. The invention of photography was officially announced in France in 1839. In 1848, Figuier published an article titled “La Photographie” in the Revue des deux mondes magazine. With a focus on this article, our research analyzes the background of his interest in photography as well as the characteristics and significance of the early history of photography that he presented in his article.
At the time Figuier wrote this article, there was considerable interest in photography as a new technology in France. He emphasized the achievements of two Frenchmen who contributed to the development and invention of photography, and he edited a history of photography that would be welcomed by French readers. He also demonstrated that photography was still in its infancy and expressed optimism for future technological improvements. Consequently, photography became a recurring theme in Figuierʼs works and the basis for his subsequent success as a science writer.
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