François-Edmond Pâris

François-Edmond Pâris (March 6, 1806 in Paris – April 8, 1893 in Paris) was a French admiral, notable for his contribution to naval engineering during the rise of the steam, for his books, and for his role in organising the Musée national de la Marine.

Career
Pâris joined the Navy in 1820. Promoted to ensign in 1826, he served under Dumont d'Urville and took part in the famous circumnavigation of the Astrolabe until 1829. He then took part in another scientific expedition around the world, aboard the Favorite, until 1832.

Promoted to lieutenant in 1832, Pâris was sent to England to study the naval use of steam engine the next year. After this mission, he captained the Castor from 1834 to 1836.

In 1837, he was attached to the Artémise for a third exploration cruise, which lasted until 1840, when he was promoted to commander. These experiences abroad provided him with the material of his Essai sur la construction navale des peuples extraeuropéens.

In 1843, he received command of Infernal. From 1844, he captained the Archimède, receiving the rank of captain in 1846. He then commanded the Comte d’Eu until 1847, the Gomer in 1848, and Orénoque in 1850, and the Fleurus in 1854. During the Crimean War, Pâris came in charge of the naval division of Dniepr after the Battle of Kinburn. In 1856, he took command of Audacieuse.

In 1858, Pâris was promoted to rear admiral. From 1860 to 1861, he led the 2nd division of the fleet, with his flag on Algésiras.

In 1863, he became a member of the French Academy of Sciences in recognition of his contributions to geography.

In 1864, Pâris was promoted to vice-admiral, and headed the archives until his retirement in 1871. He was then put in charge of the Musée national de la Marine, to which he greatly contributed by organising the collections and acquiring new items.

Works
Most notable works: Arthus Bertrand, Paris, 1841. Folio, 160 pp, ill., 132 plates. Paris, 1879. Folio.
 * Essai sur la construction navale des peuples extra-européens ou Collection des navires et pirogues construits par les habitants de l'Asie, de la Malaisie, du Grand Océan et de l'Amérique dessinés et mesurés pendant les voyages autour du monde de "l'Astrolabe", "la Favorite" et "l'Artémise".
 * Souvenirs de marine conservés, ou Collection de plans de navires de guerre et de commerce et de bateaux divers de tous les pays tracés par les constructeurs ou marins ... recueillis et publiés par l'amiral Pâris ... Album.

Tribute
From the 10 March 2010 to 19 September 2010, an exhibition was held in the National maritime museum in Paris, showing the work of Paris in preserving artifacts of the maritime cultures of the world by documenting and designing models. Named "All the boats of the world ", the exhibition conceived as a round-the-world journey, and allowed us to discover a wide variety of peoples, seas and rivers, and to get to know both their boats and their culture.

Sources and references

 * PARIS François Edmond, amiral (1806-1893)
 * Nautical Publications of Amiral François Edmond Paris [1806-1893&#93;: