Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart

Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart studied at Lycée Condorcet, Collège de Beauvais and Académie Royale d'Architecture. Training under Étienne-Louis Boullée and Hubert Pluyette is recorded. The recorded working language is French. Places of work recorded in the authority are Paris. Works named in the authority record are Père Lachaise Cemetery and Palais Brongniart. Work by Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart is recorded in the collections of Louvre Museum and Musée Carnavalet.

• Name — Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart • Born — 15 February 1739 • Birthplace — Paris, Kingdom of France • Died — 6 June 1813 • Place of death — Paris, French Empire • Occupation — Architect • Spouse — Anne Louise Brongniart, née Degrémont (1744–1829) • Children — Alexandre Brongniart Louise Théodore Brongniart 1772–1845 Emilie Louise Alexandrine Brongniart 1780–1847

In 1767, Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart married Anne Louise Degrémont (1744–1829). The couple became friends of the royal portrait painter, Marie Louise Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun who painted the portrait of their daughter, Emilie Louise Alexandrine Brongniart (1780–1847) that now hangs in the National Gallery in London, known as Mademoiselle Brongniart, 1788. During the Reign of Terror, Vigée-Lebrun hid in Brongniart's home before fleeing the country. Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart was also a close friend of Jean Antoine Houdon, the pre-eminent French sculptor of the day who sculpted busts of his daughter Alexandrine-Emilie and his son Alexandre Jr. that are now in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart designed several hôtels particuliers, including the Hôtel de Bourbon-Condé and the Hotel de Monaco. In 1781, he was received as a member of the Académie Royale d'Architecture, and in 1782, he was named architect and controller-general of the Ecole Militaire (Military School). In the same year, he refurbished the Hôtel de Besenval. In 1804, he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to create the layout for the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery. The Emperor was so pleased with his work that in 1807, he chose Brongniart to design the Paris Bourse (the Parisian stock exchange). Brongniart did all of the designs, but it would be his last work and he would not live to see the classical Greek styled building completed in 1825. The building was named "Palais Brongniart" in his honor and remains in use to this day. Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart died in Paris in 1813 and was interred there in the cemetery he had designed.

Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart and his wife Anne Louise had three children. Their son Alexandre went on to become a respected geologist and director of the famous Sèvres porcelain factory. His son, and therefore grandson of Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart, became a famous botanist known as the father of paleobotany and a recipient of the Wollaston Medal in science text.

• Illustration — Hôtel de Besenval, Paris (1704). Renovation and construction of the nymphaeum by Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart in 1782 • Illustration — Église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, Romainville (1787) • Illustration — Palais Brongniart, Paris (1808)

The authorities additionally record the headings Alexandre Theodore Brongniart, Alexandre Théodore Brongniart, Alexandre-Theodore Brongniart, Brognard and Brongniart. His recorded language was French. He was the child of Ignace-Théodore Brongniart. 3 children are recorded: Alexandre Brongniart, Alexandrine-Émilie Brongniart and Louise Brongniart.

Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart is recorded as architect. Formation and teaching. Brongniart studied at Lycée Condorcet, Collège de Beauvais and Académie Royale d'Architecture. He trained under Étienne-Louis Boullée and Hubert Pluyette.