Simonne Caillère
Simonne Caillère | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 June 1905 |
| Died | 10 September 1999 (aged 94) |
| Education | Rennes University and then at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology |
Simonne Caillère or Simone Caillière (11 June 1905 – 10 September 1999) was a French mineralogist and geologist, deputy director and professor at the Mineralogy Laboratory of the National Museum of Natural History. She is known for her work on clays. In 2026 it was proposed that her name should be added to the scientists and engineers whose names are on the Eiffel Tower.
Life
Caillère was born on 11 June 1905 in Parigny in Normandy. She attended Rennes University and she was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in 1925. On the recommendation of Raoul Anthony, she was awarded a scholarship in 1929 that allowed her to study for a PhD at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris under the direction of Alfred Lacroix.[1]
In 1936, Caillère defended her doctoral thesis in physical sciences at the University of Paris and in the following year she succeeded Jean Orcel as assistant director in the mineralogy department as Orcel was promoted to be a Professor.[1]
During World War II, Caillère was involved in moving tonnes of minerals from the museum for safe storage as the German army occupied Paris.[1]
In 1956 she became the first Professor at the Mineralogy Laboratory of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle.[1] Caillère had been a student of Jean Orcel and she named a mineral, made of nickel arsenate, Orcelite, after him in 1959.[2]
Caillère was involved in over 200 publications.[1] In 1963 she and Stéphane Hénin published their book on the mineralogy of clays (Minéralogie des argiles).[3]
Death and legacy
Caillère co-founded the French Clay Group Le Groupe Français des Argiles. In 2020 the organisation create a biennial award to be called the Simonne Caillère prix in her memory. It is awarded to a young researcher.[4]
In 2026, Caillère was announced as one of 72 historical women in STEM whose names have been proposed to be added to the 72 men already celebrated on the Eiffel Tower. The plan was announced by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo following the recommendations of a committee led by Isabelle Vauglin of Femmes et Sciences and Jean-François Martins, who represented the operating company which runs the Eiffel Tower.[5][6][7]
References
- ^ a b c d e Jaussaud, Philippe; Brygoo, Édouard-Raoul, eds. (2004), "c", Du Jardin au Muséum en 516 biographies, Archives (in French), Paris: Publications scientifiques du Muséum, pp. 123–160, ISBN 978-2-85653-853-1, retrieved 2026-02-15
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link) - ^ "Orcelite". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
- ^ Caillère, Simonne; Hénin, Stéphane (1963). Minéralogie des argiles (in French). Masson.
- ^ "Bourses et récompenses – Groupe Français des Argiles / French Clay Group (GFA)" (in French). Retrieved 2026-02-15.
- ^ "Eiffel Tower: a list of 72 women scientists will soon be inscribed on the Parisian monument". www.sortiraparis.com. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ "Eiffel Tower to honor 72 women scientists for posterity". 2026-01-26. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ "Les noms des 72 femmes pour la Tour Eiffel ont été révélés". Femmes & Sciences (in French). Retrieved 2026-02-14.